The kitchen is one of the most used and consequently essential rooms in our houses. However, due to the nature of its use, it is also one of the most energy consumptive. Preparing and cooking food can utilise a variety of energy sapping appliances which, combined with the various washing up and laundry processes, can make a significant impact on your energy bill. Therefore, following a few of these efficiency tips may help save you money:

Food Preparation

• Defrosting food in the fridge overnight reduces the need for microwaving it on the day it is needed.
• Cutting food into small pieces reduces cooking time and consequently energy usage.
• Make sure warm foods have cooled down before placing them in the fridge or it will take increased energy to maintain the temperature of your appliance.

Cooking Food

• Do not use large pans if a smaller one will suffice and make sure you use the right sized hob for it.
• To reduce heat loss, keep lids on pans for as long as you can – turn down the heat if it begins to boil over.
• To avoid opening the oven door and losing valuable heat energy, keep the oven doors clean so you can easily see what is going on inside.
• If you can, use a microwave to cook or reheat food as this is much more efficient than most forms of cooking.
• If using the microwave, cover food with a microwave-safe lid or pierced cling film as this will hold in moisture and increase cooking times.
• Cooking large batches of food is more energy efficient and gives you a supply of home-made ready meals.
• Only boil the volume of water you require in your kettle, and make sure you keep it de-scaled to increase efficiency.

Storing Food

• Wasted food makes a large contribution towards carbon dioxide emissions so freezing your leftovers, or eating them the next day, will reduce your food wastage.
• Consider buying an energy efficient A rated fridge or freezer – Energy Saving Trust Recommended models are estimated to save you around £50 on energy bills over the lifetime of the appliance and around 266kg of CO₂ [1].
• Ensuring air can circulate around the back of your fridge and freezer will increase their efficiency. Keep them away from heat sources such as cookers, radiators and direct sunlight.
• Setting your appliances to the correct temperature will ensure energy is not wasted on running them too low but keeping food effectively.
• Avoid keeping the fridge or freezer door open for longer than necessary.
• Make sure you know what you have in your fridge, freezer and cupboards before you go shopping to avoid wasting food and producing harmful carbon dioxide emissions.

Washing Up

• If you plan to use a dishwasher, try and buy an A rated energy and water efficient appliance with the Energy Saving Trust Recommended logo.
• Make sure any dishwasher you buy is suitably sized for your needs e.g. only a large family really requires a full size machine.
• Make sure you fully load the dishwasher as a half setting will generally use more than half the energy of a full load.
• If your appliance has an eco setting, make sure you use it wherever possible.

Finally

• Remember to always switch appliances off standby when you’ve finished with them!

All of these tips are pretty easy to follow and can help you save energy on everyday tasks. They may seem small and insignificant, but together can add up to great savings for yourself, but also the environment.

[1] http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Easy-ways-to-stop-wasting-energy/Stop-wasting-energy-and-cut-your-bills/Tips-to-help-you-stop-wasting-energy/Stop-wasting-energy-in-the-kitchen

[2] http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/environmentandgreenerliving/energyandwatersaving/dg_064371