Go Green: 7 Ways To Make Your Kitchen More Energy Efficient

Green. Ten years ago, this word was simply a color. Now, it is a lifestyle. Individuals and businesses alike are constantly changing in order to consume less energy and reduce their carbon footprint. These changes range from paying their bills online in order to reduce paper waste all the way to installing solar panels on their roof.

If you are thinking about joining the green movement, here are seven ways you can save both energy and money in your kitchen.

Buy Energy-Efficient Appliances. This is the most obvious step if you are in the market for new appliances. EngeryStar.gov is a great place to start your search. The Energy Star label is given to energy efficient products by the EPA. You can find a list of their most efficient products here.

Use the Right Sized Burner on Your Stove. This may sound minuscule, but putting a 6” pan on an 8” burner can waste almost half of the heat generated by your stove top. Also, covering your pots and pans with tight-fitting lids helps retain heat and allows for faster cook times.

Use the Microwave and Toaster Oven for Small Meals. Energy Star estimates that you can reduce energy by up to 50% when cooking small meals in a microwave or toaster oven instead of a conventional oven.

Location, Location, Location. Where in the kitchen you place your appliances can make a difference when it comes to energy efficiency. Refrigerators, for example, should be kept six to eight inches away from the wall, out of direct sunlight and away from heat-generating appliances such as your stove.

Be Mindful When Washing Dishes. If you don't have many dishes to wash, fill a large container with soapy water and another one with rinse water in order to avoid constantly running your faucet. If you have too many dishes for that, your dishwasher will actually be more efficient, as long as it is a full load. Also, pre-washing your dishes is not necessary. Most modern dishwashers are powerful enough to blast dirty food off your plates without the extra work.

Unplug When Idle. Even though you only use your toaster during the morning, it will use electricity all day if you leave it plugged in. Same thing goes for your coffee maker, electric can opener and waffle iron. Even when these devices are turned off, they are still using electricity if they are plugged in to an outlet. Unplugging your small appliances when not in use can result in noticeable savings on your utility bill.

Keep it Closed. Every time you open the refrigerator door, cold air escapes and the fridge must now work to restore its internal temperature. Constantly opening the oven door to check on your food while it's cooking does the same thing. Instead of opening the oven door to see if your food is ready, simply turn on the oven light and peek through the glass. When going to the fridge, you should already know what you want so the door stays open for as short of a time as possible.

A broken or defective refrigerator can also significantly hinder your energy efficiency. If you face this problem, the solution is simpler than you think. Instead of breaking the bank and buying a brand new model, give 24/7 Refrigerator Service a call at 866-782-9376. Our professional technicians have been repairing broken and busted fridges for over 50 years! With same day service to New York City, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut at a great price, nobody beats 24/7 Refrigerator Service.