Some say the kitchen is the heart of every home. It’s where we cook and often where we eat. Sometimes it’s where we do our laundry, or just where we sit and chat with our family. And it’s also a great place to start saving energy.
Packed with electrical appliances, your kitchen is probably one of the most energy-hungry rooms in your house – but it doesn’t have to be. Check out our tips for saving energy while cooking, doing the laundry or just making a cup of coffee. Saving energy could save you money – and turn your kitchen into the heart of your energy efficient life:
1. If you’re having a cup of coffee, only boil a cup of water. The trusty kettle is probably one of the most frequently used appliances in any kitchen. But it’s important to make sure it isn’t the most over-used appliance. Boiling smaller amounts of water uses less energy than boiling a full kettle, so only fill it up with the amount of water you need.
2. If you can (and we know they can be more expensive), choose an energy-efficient fridge freezer. When possible, it’s best to always choose more energy efficient products, of course. But if you’re going to spend that little bit extra on any one kitchen appliance, make it the fridge. Your fridge is switched on 24/7, so having an energy efficient model could really help save energy and lower your energy bills.
3. Choose a cold wash. When using the washing machine, choose a cold wash – around 30 or 40 degrees centigrade – as often as possible. Washing clothes at lower temperatures uses less energy because the machine doesn’t have to heat the water as much. It’s also best to make the most of every wash cycle by filling the machine up – or making sure you use a half load setting if it isn’t full.
4. Hang your clothes up to dry. Tumble dryers can be very energy-hungry, so hanging your clothes on a line or drying rack will save you energy. Plus, if you hang them neatly when wet, some items might not need ironing!
5. Stop checking if the chips are ready! Once you’ve turned on the oven, try and keep the oven door closed as much as possible. Every time you open it or leave it open, heat escapes. And then the oven has to use more energy to heat up again.
6. Change those old lightbulbs for energy-efficient ones. Chances are, your kitchen is probably one of the most well-lit rooms in your house. Replacing any old traditional or low-efficiency halogen bulbs you may have with energy-saving LED (light-emitting diode) or CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) bulbs could help reduce your energy bills. Although energy efficient bulbs can be more expensive, they tend to last much longer – sometimes for many years – so you shouldn’t have to change them again for a while. And that will save you something even more precious: time!
