Article4 min read
How to save energy in the kitchen
Two things that take place in the kitchen: consuming energy and consuming food. While it’s a good idea to be mindful about both, our tips focus on the first.
Quick tip
Consider a chest-style freezer
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Chest-style freezers use up to 51% less energy than upright freezers. Cold air is heavier than warm air so, because chest freezers open from the top, they lose less cold air when open.
Quick Q
Does it take more energy to keep a fridge cool when it's full, or when it's empty?
An empty fridge uses more energy - consider putting some jugs of water in the fridge.
Quick tip
Don't leave your fridge door open
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Every time your fridge door is opened, up to 30 percent of its cooled air can escape. The longer the door stays open, the more your fridge has to work to get cool again.
Fill up on savings
Got a favourite Sunday dinner recipe? Try making it in a small appliance this week instead. See if you can spot the difference in your usage.
Quick tip
Use your slow cooker weekly
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A slow cooker on for 6 hours uses 60% less electricity than an electric oven on for 1 hour. If you use one weekly, it can save you up to $21 a year.
Quick tip
Avoid stovetop boiling
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Boiling water in an electric kettle uses 50% less electricity than its stovetop counterpart. Cooking eggs or pasta? Fill your pot with kettle-boiled water to save a penne or two.
Quick tip
Choose an ENERGY STAR® fridge
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Ready to upgrade? In addition to all the bells and whistles of a new ENERGY STAR® fridge, you also save up to $120 on your energy bill over the lifetime of the refrigerator.
Quick tip
Let your dishes dry themselves
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Your dishwasher's heat-dry setting adds a lot of unneeded warmth to a house in summer, and uses a lot of energy year round. Try turning off that setting and air-drying your dishes instead. It can save you approximately $8 per year.
Quick tip
Use small, yet mighty appliances
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When possible, use smaller appliances like multi-use pressure cookers, microwaves, toaster ovens and slow-cookers. They can use up to 75% less energy than a large electric oven. Check out our small appliance recipe roundup.
True or False
Chest-styled freezers are more energy efficient than upright freezers
True! Chest-styled freezers use up to 51% less energy than upright freezers.
Quick tip
Use an ENERGY STAR® dishwasher
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A dishwasher that has earned the ENERGY STAR® gets your dishes clean while using less water and energy, and only costs about $30 a year if run once daily.
Quick tip
Thaw food in the fridge
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If you reduce your microwave defrosting by just 15 minutes per day, you could save approximately $11 per year. So try thawing frozen food in the fridge when you can.
Quick tip
Allow us to break the ice, meet the ENERGY STAR® freezer
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If you choose to purchase a freezer, an ENERGY STAR® certified model can save you 10% on operating costs, saving you up to $30 per year.
Quick tip
Recycle extra fridges
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Running an empty fridge? Unplug it and/or recycle it at your local Return-It Depot to save up to $55 a year.
