Smart strategies in the kitchen can save both energy and time.
- Cook as many dishes as possible in your microwave, slow cooker, air fryer or toaster oven. Because they cook food quicker and are smaller, they can use as much as 75% less energy than a conventional oven.
- When using your oven, preheat only when required, make sure seals are tight and don’t open the door while cooking. If you have a natural gas range, keep the burners clean.
- Check cooking progress using the window. Opening the oven door for even a few seconds lowers the temperature inside by as much as 25 degrees. If your oven doesn’t have a window, try not to open the door to check your food until it’s as close to the expected finish time as possible.
- Turn off your oven several minutes before food is fully cooked. As long as it remains closed, enough heat will be stored inside to finish cooking. If you use glass or ceramic pans, try turning your oven temperature down 25 degrees; your food may cook just as quickly.
- When cooking on your stovetop, match the size of the pan to the heating element. More heat will get to the pan, resulting in less heat loss.
- Consider installing an induction stovetop that can reduce electric use by 5%-10%.
- Skill level: Basic
- It’s easy to use a microwave, slow cooker, toaster oven or air fryer to reheat small portions. Cover pots and pans while cooking on a range or in an oven to keep heat in the food and not in your kitchen.
- Cost range: Free
- Since most homes have a microwave oven, other small appliances and covered cookware in several sizes, you should be all set to start saving.
- Savings: $18-$36 annually
- Just using the right size pot on a burner can save about $36 a year if you have an electric range, or $18 a year with a gas stove. And using a microwave, slow cooker, air fryer or toaster oven to cook small portions can reduce the energy used for cooking by as much as 75%. Avoiding using your range or oven can save on air conditioning costs in summer, too.
