How To Conserve Energy In The Kitchen

In an effort to lower costs and conserve energy, many homeowners are turning to energy efficient appliances and attempting to build habits that use less power.

Energy Efficient Appliances

Most kitchen appliances with the Energy Star seal have been manufactured after 1992. Almost every year since then, appliances have improved in their energy efficiency abilities and homeowners who utilize these appliances can save anywhere from 10 to 25 percent on their home energy costs.

Another benefit to installing energy efficient appliances is that there are government rebates available of up to $1,500 or 30 percent of the cost of the appliance, depending on the appliance. Additionally, some states also offer supplemental incentives for homeowners who purchase Energy Star appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers and freezers.

Improving Energy Use Habits

Besides installing newer and more energy efficient appliances in the kitchen, the other primary way to reduce energy usage in the kitchen is with good energy consumption habits.

• Turning Off Lights – Instead of leaving kitchen lights on all day, make it a habit to automatically turn off the lights when nobody is in the room. Although the kitchen can be the primary congregating area of the house, this does not mean that the lights need to be on all the time.

• Overhead Fan – It is easy to fall into the habit of automatically turning on the overhead exhaust fan in the kitchen when cooking meals. However, unless the exhaust fan is needed specifically to remove odors or smoke from the kitchen, then it is not necessary to turn the fan on just because the stove is being used. If there is a need to air out the kitchen, try opening a door or window and letting fresh air inside.

• Refrigerator Temperature – Although you definitely want to keep the refrigerator temperature cool enough to keep food fresh, it is not necessary to keep the setting at the coldest place on the temperature dial. Instead, try moving the setting to either the center of the dial or just a little warmer than center. This will still keep food fresh, but will use less energy.

• Only Open the Door When Needed – Kids and adults sometimes have the bad habit of opening the refrigerator door and standing with it open, simply staring inside looking for something to eat. This lets all of the cold air fall out of the refrigerator and uses energy unnecessarily. One way to address this problem is to have a list of items in the refrigerator posted on the outside of the door to let everyone know what is actually inside without needing to open the door.