Top Tips to Reduce Energy Use in the Kitchen

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 15 percent of home energy usage happens in the kitchen.

Everybody wants to lower their utility bills, but many are still content to pay their energy bill every month and not think of ways how it could be lower. It takes a lot of electronics and appliances to keep a kitchen operation running tight, and conserving energy may not be top of mind when you are busy cooking dinner.

Here are the top tips for an energy efficient kitchen.

Consider updating your refrigerator

Did you know that the refrigerator is one of the top appliances that use the most energy in an average home?

This makes a lot of sense since the appliance has to run continuously to keep our food cold. However, continuous use will take its toll on any appliance, and this is why it’s important to make sure that your unit is not outdated. Refrigerators made before 1994 are not energy-efficient; and if you own one, it’s best to consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR certified unit, which offers features that consumes less energy.

If you want to do a quick health check on your unit, ENERGY STAR offers a useful refrigerator retirement calculator.

Keep your refrigerator stocked

Keeping your unit well-stocked has a direct energy benefit. Having more items inside your fridge means that your unit uses less energy to keep them cold.

Also, remember that heat always tries to flow from a hot to a cold region. Whenever you open the fridge, hot air rushes in and cold air escapes. Your unit must then use energy to compensate for the temperature increase and to bring the temperature back down. Hence, it’s best to ensure that your unit’s door seals are airtight. Also, avoid opening the door if you don’t really need to and do not leave it open for a prolonged period of time.

Pinpoint and unplug appliances when not in use

Modern kitchens are abundant with appliances, and many fail to remember to power them down or unplug them. This can have a huge impact on your home’s energy efficiency.

To decrease energy usage in your home, unplug appliances when they are not in use, like charging devices. Using a power strip with an on/off switch is a good idea since it makes it simple to power off multiple devices or electronics at once.

Investing in ENERGY STAR appliances like dishwashers will also go a long way in boosting your home’s energy efficiency. Keeping in mind these top tips to reduce energy use in the kitchen and making simple lifestyle changes could lead to lower utility bills and energy savings.

There are many benefits to owning an energy-efficient home. Each Hogan Home is built with Hybrid Home standards, making it superior in quality and energy efficiency. Learn how you can own an environmentally-friendly, brand-new home for sale in Corpus Christi that is equipped with the most efficient green home design. Contact us today.

Sources:

“Tips on Saving Money & Energy at Home,” U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/energy_savers.pdf
“Kitchen Appliances,” U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/kitchen-appliances
“Estimating Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use,” U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/estimating-appliance-and-home-electronic-energy-use