5 Free Ways to Save Energy in the Kitchen

If you are looking to reduce the amount of energy you consume each month, the best place to start is in the kitchen. Large appliances such as your refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher require a significant amount of energy to use; but these five tips can help you slash your monthly bills.

• Don't pre-wash your dishes before putting them into the dishwasher. Most newer dishwashers are powerful enough to remove any food which may have hardened onto your plates. Washing your dishes beforehand wastes water, time, and money.
• Cook with flat-bottomed pots and pans. The larger the surface that comes in contact with your stove's burner, the faster it will heat up. The difference is significant; pans with warped bottoms can take 50% more energy to heat up than ones with flat bottoms.
• Clean the condenser coils on your refrigerator every six months. These coils are located on the back of your refrigerator and can accumulate a thick layer of dust and grime if not regularly vacuumed. This dirty coating can put additional wear-and-tear on your refrigerator's compressor and increase your monthly energy bill.
• Cook small meals in a microwave or toaster oven instead of a full-sized oven. If you are cooking an individual-sized meal, save yourself time and money by cooking it with a small appliance – a full-sized oven will consume over twice the amount of energy of a microwave.
• Unplug your small appliances when they aren't being used. Things like toasters, coffee makers, and electric can openers constantly drain energy when they are plugged into the wall – even if they are not being used.

A malfunctioning refrigerator can also cause your energy bill to skyrocket. If you notice your monthly electricity bill creeping up but you aren't changing your consumption habits, your refrigerator may be to blame. If you live in New York, call 24/7 Refrigerator Repair at 866-782-9376 – we offer around-the-clock emergency support and one-hour service to Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut. For more information about 24/7 Refrigerator Repair, click here to visit our website.

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.