Did you know homeowners typically spend about $2,000 every year on their energy bills? One of the biggest energy consumers in your home is the kitchen. Between appliances and lighting, it can really add up. Check out our guide to saving energy in the kitchen!
Lighting
Let’s start with lighting. While there are many different types of kitchen lighting (under-cabinet lighting, recessed ceiling lighting, ceiling fixtures, pendant fixtures, and architectural lighting), there are Energy Star certified options. If you decide to replace existing kitchen lighting, consider renovating with LED lightbulbs. This will save you an average of 80% less energy than standard bulbs.
Appliances
Similar to lighting, find appliances that are Energy Star certified. Here’s why:
“An Energy Star certified dishwasher is, on average, 12% more energy efficient and 30% more water efficient than standard, non-Energy Star certified models.”
“An Energy Star certified refrigerator is approximately 9% more energy efficient than the federal standard and uses about half as much energy as a 15-year old refrigerator.”
Kitchen Tips
In addition to purchasing energy-efficient lighting and appliances, there are also simple methods to saving energy in the kitchen:
- Reduce cooking times by approximately 10%, by covering pots and pans while cooking.
- Use your microwave—it’s the most efficient means of cooking…not to mention the fastest!
- Keeping the oven door closed while the oven is in use can save as much as $20 per year! Same goes for your refrigerator door.
- Don’t waste water by pre-rinsing your dishes! Instead, just scrape excess food directly into the trash, achieving the same result, without using extra water or energy.
Hopefully the tips above help you to save energy (money!) in the kitchen! For other tips and tricks like these, follow our boards on Pinterest!