Simple ways to save in the kitchen
January-February 2025
When shopping for new kitchen appliances, look for the Energy Star logo. Energy Star certification indicates the appliance is optimized for efficiency and energy savings, while also providing improved performance, quality and durability.
by Miranda Boutelle, Contributing Columnist
Q: How can I save in the kitchen during the most expensive time of the year?
A: The holiday season brings opportunities to enjoy meals with friends and family, which leads to spending more time in the kitchen. Whether you’re hosting a few or a crowd, consider making new energy-efficient traditions this year with these tips to manage your energy use.
CONSIDER OPTIONS
Slow cookers use less energy than an oven. You can use a slow cooker for a longer period and still use less energy.
Let’s start with cooking your meal. Your electric oven is typically the highest-wattage appliance in the kitchen. Yet, people usually don’t turn their ovens on for long periods. Assuming an average oven wattage of 3,000 and an average cost of $0.16 kWh, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, it costs 48 cents an hour. Let’s say you use your oven for four hours to make a special meal. That’s less than $2 of electricity. While that may not seem like a big deal now, operating your oven for four hours daily can cost $700 a year.
Using smaller appliances instead of your oven can help you save energy. A slow cooker uses between 100 and 450 watts, which is significantly less than an electric oven, which uses 2,000 to 5,000 watts. That means you can use a slow cooker for a longer period and still use less energy. To reheat or cook smaller items, use your microwave or toaster oven. The microwave uses significantly less energy than the oven. According to Energy Star, a toaster oven uses about half the power of a conventional oven.
COOL SAVINGS
Next, let’s look for refrigerator savings. The gaskets on your refrigerator doors should make a tight seal to keep in cold air. Make sure you clean and maintain them or replace them if necessary. Don’t let frost build up in the freezer, which can decrease efficiency and make your freezer work harder to maintain a balanced temperature.
Wait until food cools before putting leftovers in the fridge. Putting hot food in the refrigerator requires more energy to cool it down. Aim for about 30 minutes of cool time. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, perishable food should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking.
Setting your refrigerator colder than needed wastes energy. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 37 degrees for the refrigerator and zero degrees for the freezer. Use an appliance thermometer to monitor the temperature.
CLEANING UP
When it comes to cleanup, run full loads of dishes in the dishwasher, being careful not to block any moving parts. If your dishwasher has an eco-mode, use it. If you are in the market for new appliances, select Energy Star models.
Whatever you choose to cook or how you cook it, follow these simple tips to make your kitchen more efficient and save energy this holiday season.
Miranda Boutelle writes on energy-efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.