One of the areas where a lot of energy is used is the kitchen, so experts have shared their top tips for reducing rapidly rising bills.
1. FILL THE FREEZER
Just reduce your energy consumption by filling the freezer. Believe it or not, it takes more energy to keep air cold than it does to keep food cold. Cold air is denser than warm air, so when you open the freezer door, the cold air escapes and is quickly replaced by warm air. When you close the door, the freezer has to work to replace all the warm air with cold air again, thus using more energy. Filling your freezer with food or even newspaper to fill in the gaps. Be careful not to fill it completely, though, as you could block the vents, restrict ventilation, and cause the freezer to burn out, which could cost you dearly.
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2. USE LARGER BOWLS
Kitchen experts recommend replacing smaller pans with larger ones when using the stove. With their larger surface, they will fill its space and heat up faster, which means you will use the stove for less time. It also means using less energy, which can help keep bills down. Professionals also advise switching to copper pans, as they heat up faster than stainless steel and cast iron.
3. USE GLASS OR CERAMIC VESSELS IN THE OVEN
Glass or ceramic dishes retain heat better than their metal counterparts, making them more efficient in the oven. Less time in the oven means less energy used, which saves you money in the long run. If you can, it is better to use the microwave to heat food because it uses less energy than the oven.
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4. SWITCH OFF DEVICES IN STANDBY MODE
Experts say that turning off appliances completely in standby mode can help save energy. They explained: “In this case, it is necessary to do the following: Many appliances consume energy even when you are not using them. They can use up 10-15% of energy use and yet many people forget to unplug them.” If there is a light or a digital clock, it consumes power, so be sure to turn them off, which can help a lot.
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5. CHECK THE REFRIGERATOR TEMPERATURE
The fridge is on 24/7 all year round, it’s worth checking from time to time that the fridge temperature is correct to avoid it being too high or too low which can lead to faster spoilage of the food. Too low a temperature can mean you waste energy and can even freeze products like milk and vegetables, and not low enough means your products won’t last as long. The most suitable temperature is between 3 to 7 degrees Celsius. It is also important to know which appliances are the most expensive to use in the home.
