Use the correct size burner for the pan or kettle you cook with. Burners that extend past the outside of your pan or kettle do not make your food cook faster, waste energy and money.
When boiling water for cooking, use only as much water as necessary to avoid wasted energy. The more water in a kettle means it takes longer to bring it to a boil, wasting both time and energy.
Covering your kettles when boiling water will reduce the time it takes to boil water as well as saving you energy and money.
Use your oven light instead of opening the door to check your food. Opening the door can reduce the temperature by 30 degrees, increasing the cost of running your oven and the time it takes to cook your food.
Take time to brush and vacuum your refrigerator coils while you do your spring cleaning. Refrigerators use more electricity with dirty coils by working harder and longer. Coils are generally found behind or underneath your refrigerator.
Avoid “browsing” your refrigerator with the door open by keeping a list of food and snacks on the outside of the door. The longer the door is open, the harder your refrigerator AND furnace must work in the winter costing you more on your bills.
Looking for more ways to reduce the cost of operating your refrigerator? Make sure to cover liquids and wrap your foods before being stored. Moisture released from uncovered foods and liquids make the compressor work harder increasing the energy use and cost.
Use a bucket or container to catch the cold water from your faucet while it warms up. This cold water can be used to water your plants or for pets to drink.
Save electricity by turning off your dishwasher’s dry setting and allowing dishes to air dry instead. Opening the door will allow dishes to dry more quickly and provide moisture to your home during the dry winter months.
Check your fridge and freezer temperature periodically. Fridge temperatures should be set at 38°F while freezers should be set at 0°F. Setting your fridge or freezer 10 degrees colder than necessary can mean up to 25% more energy use. To check the temperature in your fridge, place an approved thermometer in a glass of water in the middle of your refrigerator. Check the temperature after 24 hours and adjust the temperature setting accordingly to reach 38°F.
