Tag Archives: kitchen energy saving tips

6 Easy Ways to Save Energy in the Kitchen

With
the hot summer weather approaching, homeowners everywhere are looking
for ways to cut back on energy costs. While turning down the air
conditioner might be the first energy-saving method that comes to
mind, there are ways to reduce your consumption without sacrificing
your family’s comfort.
Here
are six easy ways to save energy in the kitchen.
Match the Pan Size to the
Burner
When
cooking on the stove top, always use a pan which is the same size as
the burner that you are cooking on. When a small pan is placed on a
big burner, as much as 50% of the energy could be put towards heating
your kitchen, not your food.
Stop Preheating the Oven
Many
professional cooks agree that preheating the oven is a useless
process for most recipes and wastes a significant amount of energy.
Put your food in the oven when you turn it on; it may take a few
minutes longer to cook, but you eliminate all the waiting time on the
front end.
Use Lids on Your Pans
Cover
all of your pots and pans with proper-fitting lids when you are
cooking on the stove top. Cooking without lids can use three times as
much energy!
Keep Your Microwave Clean
Keeping
the inside of your microwave oven clean is an effective way to reduce
how much energy it consumes. Old spills and food stains can absorb
energy waves, making it take longer to cook the food that you
actually want to eat.
Avoid Peeking in the Oven
While
cooking in the oven, it is tempting to peek in every-so-often and
take a look at your food; resist this urge. Every time you open the
oven door, hot air escapes. If your oven has a glass window, simply
turn on the light and look inside without opening the door.
Let Leftovers Cool Off
Don’t
put food in the refrigerator when it is still hot; it can warm up the
rest of the interior and cause the compressor to cycle on. Letting
your leftovers cool to room temperature before putting them in the
fridge will ensure your unit won’t have to work as hard.
If you
notice a spike in your electricity bill, your refrigerator could be
to blame. The average refrigerator can account for up to 10% of your
home’s energy bill, but if it is malfunctioning this number can be
much higher. If you suspect that your refrigerator is not operating
properly, give the experts at Speedy Refrigerator Service a call at
866-782-9376. With over 75 years of experience, it is no wonder why
Long Island residents count on us to fix their refrigerators,
freezers, ice makers, and wine coolers. We are open 24/7/365, so call
us any time to schedule a same-day visit from one of our licensed
technicians.
Modern Day Kitchen | Speedy Refrigerator Service

5 Free Ways to Save Energy in the Kitchen

If you
are looking to reduce the amount of energy you consume each month,
the best place to start is in the kitchen. Large appliances such as
your refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher require a significant amount
of energy to use; but these five tips can help you slash your monthly
bills.
  • Don’t pre-wash your
    dishes
    before putting them
    into the dishwasher. Most newer dishwashers are powerful enough to
    remove any food which may have hardened onto your plates. Washing
    your dishes beforehand wastes water, time, and money.
  • Cook with
    flat-bottomed pots and pans.
    The
    larger the surface that comes in contact with your stove’s burner,
    the faster it will heat up. The difference is significant; pans with
    warped bottoms can take 50% more energy to heat up than ones with
    flat bottoms.
  • Clean the condenser
    coils on your refrigerator
    every
    six months. These coils are located on the back of your refrigerator
    and can accumulate a thick layer of dust and grime if not regularly
    vacuumed. This dirty coating can put additional wear-and-tear on
    your refrigerator’s compressor and increase your monthly energy
    bill.
  • Cook small meals in
    a microwave
    or toaster oven
    instead of a full-sized oven. If you are cooking an individual-sized
    meal, save yourself time and money by cooking it with a small
    appliance – a full-sized oven will consume over twice the amount
    of energy of a microwave.
  • Unplug your small
    appliances
    when they aren’t
    being used. Things like toasters, coffee makers, and electric can
    openers constantly drain energy when they are plugged into the wall
    – even if they are not being used.
A
malfunctioning refrigerator can also cause your energy bill to
skyrocket. If you notice your monthly electricity bill creeping up
but you aren’t changing your consumption habits, your refrigerator
may be to blame. If you live in New York, call 24/7 Refrigerator
Repair at 866-782-9376 – we offer around-the-clock emergency
support and one-hour service to Long Island, New Jersey, and
Connecticut. For more information about 24/7 Refrigerator Repair,
click here to visit our website.
Piggy Bank | Speedy Refrigerator Service

Energy Saving Tips for Your Refrigerator

Refrigerators
are the only household appliance that runs 24/7, which causes them to
be a major factor on your monthly energy bill. Even with an Energy
Star-certified model, your electricity bill can start to creep up if
you do not take proper precautions. Use the following five tips to
keep your refrigerator cold and your energy bill low.

Clean the condenser coils
Cleaning
the condenser coils every six months is a staple in a refrigerator’s
maintenance plan, similar to changing the oil of your car. These
coils are usually located at the back of the unit, and can become
coated in a thick layer of dust, animal hair, and other grime. When
this happens, the condenser must work harder and consume more energy.
Test seal strength
Your
refrigerator’s gasket is the rubber seal located on the inside
perimeter of the door. This seal is responsible for keeping cold air
in the refrigerator and warm air out. Unfortunately, the gasket is
usually one of the refrigerator’s first components to wear down. To
test yours, close your refrigerator door on a dollar bill. If you can
easily slide the dollar up and down or remove it, you should replace
the gasket immediately to improve your energy efficiency.
Keep Your Fridge Full,
but Not Too Full
Keeping
your refrigerator full will help it retain its temperature better
when the door is opened, because the different foods acts as
insulators to keep each other cold. On the other hand, keeping your
refrigerator too full can hinder air circulation and lead to warm
spots.
Keep Your Refrigerator
Away From Heat Sources
Logically,
this tip makes perfect sense. If your refrigerator is located near
your stove, it will heat up when the stove turns on, and the
compressor will have to work twice as hard to keep the inside cool.
Other heat sources to avoid include your dishwasher and direct sun
from a window or skylight.
Let Hot Food Cool Down
Allow
hot food to cool down before sticking it in the refrigerator. Putting
in items that are fresh out of the oven will cause the food around it
and the entire interior of the fridge to warm up, which in turn
causes the refrigerator to use higher amounts of energy to cool back
down.
If your
electricity bill still isn’t going down and you suspect your
refrigerator is to blame, there may be a more serious issue at hand.
If you live in Long Island or New York City, you can count on 24/7
Refrigerator Repair to get you up-and-running at any time of the day.
Our expert technicians keep fully-stocked trucks, which allows them
to make most repairs in the comfort of your own home on the same day
you call. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us
at 866-782-9376.