Saving energy has never been more crucial. This latest world crisis made us put on our thinking hats and put more effort into saving energy and preserving the environment. The appliances in your kitchen can be a great source of energy savings. Getting a lower monthly bill doesn’t mean replacing all your appliances. I talked to Lars Appliances to learn more about energy efficiency and reducing the amount of energy I use daily by following these simple energy-saving tricks:
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The Dishwasher
Reduce your energy and water consumption by using your dishwasher to its full capacity. Water is used considerably more when hand washing than when using a dishwasher. Washing dishes by hand takes almost 10 times more water than with a water-efficient full-sized dishwasher. Make sure the dishwasher is completely filled (or set to the maximum capacity) if you want to use less energy. Doing so reduces the amount of water, energy, and detergent. Depending on your provider, you can also use it during off-peak hours. When low energy usage occurs, it is often rewarded with a lower rate. Using a delay timer on your dishwasher can help you save money by letting it run overnight.
No Need to Cook Every Day
Make the most of your oven when it’s on. Opting to use your oven for an hour or more every day can quickly rack up your monthly bill. If you use your oven frequently, this can add up quickly if you don’t consider its energy rating.
To save energy, batch cook in advance rather than using your oven throughout the week. Cooking your food for the entire week is great for saving energy and money on food bills, as well as for losing weight. Sure, it might take up your entire weekend sometimes, but it’s worth saving the energy. Investing in a quality oven will make it easier to prepare better meals with less energy expenditure.
Buy Right-sized Pans
Pans must match the size of the ring or zone on the induction or electric hob in order to function most efficiently. A properly sized pan will prevent heat from escaping into the atmosphere. Also, make sure they are clean and have flat bottoms. The energy will not be transmitted optimally if the surface is coated with grease or has any dents.
Don’t Spare Your Microwave
Microwave your food if you can. As opposed to using your oven, you’ll save so much energy. The microwave produces almost instantaneous heat, and it is smaller. Furthermore, it’s only the food that is heated and not the plate. It takes less time and doesn’t spend as much energy to heat up small amounts (for 1 person). There are microwave and oven combos on the market. Combi ovens are extremely energy-efficient appliances. Microwave convenience combined with the crispness of roasting.
Invest in Energy-efficient Appliances
You will save money in the long run when you buy an energy-efficient model. That’s all there is to it. The idea is that you will be able to use an appliance for many years to come. During a ten-year period, your appliance will have a guaranteed cost of operation based on certain energy tariffs and usage. Choosing a more energy-efficient appliance will allow you to make savings upfront. Think about the future. Technology rapidly moves forward, adding more perks to each new appliance model. Yet, energy efficiency is here to stay, and no matter which appliance you choose to upgrade, its energy efficiency will pay off eventually.