How to Be More Energy-Efficient in the Kitchen

With the effects of climate change becoming more apparent by the day, many households are opting to step up to the plate and reduce their carbon footprint. That’s why learning to be more energy-efficient in the kitchen is so important in today’s world.

To accommodate this necessity, in addition to recycling and investing in Earth-friendly products, a growing number of families are beginning to prioritize energy-efficiency.

When looking for areas in the home to make it more energy-efficient, why not start in the kitchen? If this interests you, continue reading to learn how to be more energy-deficient in the kitchen.

Tips for Learning to be More Energy-Efficient in the Kitchen

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances  

Energy-efficient appliances are a worthwhile investment for anyone who’s serious about getting power consumption under control. As the name suggests, these appliances are energy efficient and consume far less power than traditional appliances.

Another great benefit is that in addition to the carbon footprint reduction, installing energy-efficient appliances helps bring down your monthly power costs.  

Unfortunately, when it comes to energy-efficient appliances, many of us can’t help but succumb to sticker shock. Since these appliances tend to be pricier than traditional ones, we often gravitate toward more affordable alternatives. However, those devices stand to cost us more in the long run, as the power bills they generate quickly add up.

The desire to save money in the short term is perfectly understandable, but doing so may ultimately cost you more down the line.    

Invest in a Good Home Warranty  

Given the cost of new appliances – especially energy-efficient ones – it’s in every budget-conscious homeowner’s best interest to protect these investments. In addition to taking full advantage of any manufacturer warranties that come with your new appliances, consider investing in a dependable home warranty.

If you’re asking yourself, “What is a home warranty?” It’s nice to know that these warranties are simple, convenient, and affordable on virtually any budget. In essence, a home warranty provides coverage for your household’s major appliances, ensuring that you won’t have to spend big bucks every time an appliance finds itself on the fritz.

So, if peace of mind and a long-overdue farewell to exorbitant repair costs are what you’re after, look no further than a good home warranty.      

Use Your Dishwasher More Effectively   

Most modern-day dishwashers by design are energy-efficient. In fact, as of 2014, all dishwashers must use the lowest possible amount of power and water when cleaning dishes.

While this is certainly good news, it doesn’t take humans out of the equation entirely. Even with an energy-efficient dishwasher, there are steps that make the dishwashing process even more efficient.  

1. First, abstain from running your dishwasher unless it’s completely full. Running a cycle when the device is only partially full wastes both water and power.
2. However, by the same token, take care to avoid overloading the machine. Not only does this damage the dishwasher, but it also results in the individual dishes not getting clean.
3. Additionally, if you don’t need to use your clean dishes right away, don’t use the drying cycle. In so doing, you can then allow the dishes to air dry. 

Regularly Clean the Fridge’s Condenser Coils  

In order for your refrigerator to work efficiently, you must clean the condenser coils every six months to one year. However, if you have pets, the coils will want to clean them more often.

Usually, this task is complete in a timely and stress-free manner. So, schedule regular maintenance for stress-free cleaning.

For maximum safety, unplug your fridge before you proceed to begin the cleaning process. If you don’t know how to clean your refrigerator’s coils, consult the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer.   

In Conclusion

As a growing number of households are discovering, many of us use a lot more power than we need to. In addition to increasing our carbon footprint, this also stands to increase our energy costs.

So, in the interest of being eco-conscious and budget-friendly, consider examining your household’s power consumption. When taking stock of the areas that consume the most energy, pay special attention to the kitchen. Making a few changes in this space can effectively save you money and reduce your household’s environmental impact.  

If you have other suggestions you want to add, please do so in the comments below. Also below you will find links to other fantastic articles about ALL things DESIGN.

Images Courtesy of Canva.

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