How to Save Electricity When Using Kitchen Appliances

The kitchen is one of the rooms where we spend the most time. It’s a common gathering spot for families to eat and have conversations. Naturally, it’s also one of the places that uses up the most electricity. With so many appliances, most of which are heat-producing, it’s no wonder that much of our energy consumption happens here. The first step to saving electricity in the kitchen is to assess how we use our appliances. Read on to learn about how you can save money on your power bill when using kitchen appliances.

Understand Which Appliances Use the Most Electricity

The first step to reducing your energy consumption in the kitchen is understanding which appliances use the most electricity. As a rule of thumb, the larger the appliance, the more energy it uses. It’s probably no surprise that your oven, stovetop, dishwasher and refrigerator are the main energy players here. Refrigerators run constantly and often have automatic ice makers, causing them to take up a hefty chunk of your kitchen’s overall consumption. Electric stovetops are another huge contributor. If possible, choose a gas or induction stovetop over an electric one since these options use significantly less power and are much more energy efficient.

Replace Old Appliances

Kitchen appliances are built to last, and some remain functional for well over a decade. If you’ve been using the same appliances for years, it may be time for an upgrade. Older models use far more energy than modern options. When shopping for new appliances, look for ones with an ENERGY STAR rating, as these are designed to use less energy and water without sacrificing performance. 

Use Countertop Appliances

Most of us are accustomed to turning to the stove or oven when we need to reheat leftovers or cook a meal. But in many instances, countertop appliances work just fine. For example, if you’re reheating leftovers, pop them into the microwave or toaster oven instead of using the stovetop. The same idea applies to cooking a family meal; opt for a slow cooker or pressure cooker instead of the oven. Most of the time, you can achieve the same goal while using significantly less energy.

Use Large Appliances Mindfully

Even if you can’t avoid using large appliances altogether, you can still be mindful of how you’re using them. For example, when using the dishwasher, wait until it’s full before running it. Instead of using the heated dry setting, let dishes air dry by opening the door after the wash and rinse cycles are complete. 

If your oven has a convection setting, make sure to use it. This circulates the hot air throughout the oven, distributing it more evenly and potentially reducing the cook time. When cooking on the stovetop, match the size of the pan to the size of the burner. If you can see the burner beneath the pan, the burner is too big, and you may be using more power than needed to heat the pan. These small, simple changes to your habits can have huge impacts on your power bill.

Perform Routine Maintenance

This tip is pretty underrated since most people don’t think twice about how often they use their appliances and how much maintenance they require. It’s easy to accidentally neglect our appliances until something breaks. But without proper maintenance, appliances have to work harder and use more electricity to function properly. Proper maintenance begins with making sure all parts are in working order and seals are intact. If any seals are torn or worn out, the air inside the appliance escapes easily, making it work harder to retain its temperature. It’s the same principle as when your parents used to say, “Close the door. You’re letting all the cool air out.” 

Part of routine maintenance also involves keeping appliances clean and replacing filters when needed. You use the appliances in your kitchen every day. Over time, a buildup of food remnants, grease and grime can accumulate, causing them to use more energy to function. Simply cleaning filters and replacing them according to manufacturer guidelines can go a long way in saving money on the power bill.

Adjust Your Fridge Temperature

Many people don’t realize they can adjust the temperature on their fridge and freezer. Some know that they can, but never do because they believe they have to keep them at the coldest temperatures to keep their food safe. This isn’t actually true. The FDA recommends that your fridge be kept no higher than 40°F, and your freezer no higher than 0°F. Some refrigerators can reach well below 35°F. If you keep these appliances at the lowest temperature settings, it can be a huge waste of energy.

Unplug Appliances You’re Not Using 

Besides the fridge, appliances can be unplugged when they’re not being used to save energy. Many appliances continue to draw energy even if they’re turned off or not in use. This is called standby energy, and this can be reduced by unplugging these appliances. Although it can be an extra step to unplug the microwave, toaster oven and other countertop appliances, it can make a huge difference on your power consumption and, therefore, your power bill.

With a few simple changes, you can save a ton of energy when using your kitchen appliances. Consuming less power means paying less for electricity! If you want to save even more, switch to prepaid power from Texas power company, Pronto Power, today by contacting us here.