The kitchen in most homes is a busy place. Between, cooking, washing dishes, and microwaving food, lots of energy gets used. It’s an unfortunate part of reality, but not one that doesn’t have solutions. There are ways to conserve energy in the kitchen while also saving on your utility bills. Namely, using energy efficient kitchen appliances and practicing environmentally friendly habits.

Make Refrigerator/Freezer Adjustments

Refrigerators use the most energy of any kitchen appliance because of their constant cycling on and off. While all fridges cycle, cleaning the coils, using an ice tray, and adjusting the thermostat  (37-40 degrees Fahrenheit for the refrigerator and zero to five degrees Fahrenheit for the freezer) you can lower your electricity bills.

Don’t Preheat the Oven

While preheating the oven helps food cook faster, it’s also a big energy waster. Forgo preheating to utilize every bit of energy spent heating your oven. Do note, however, that while  this technique works for many foods, most desserts require preheating.

Use a Dishwasher Instead of Hand Washing Dishes

Most people think that washing dishes by hand saves energy and water. In actuality, hand washing dishes uses more energy since you’re constantly running water, draining your sink, and then refilling it. Using a dishwasher decreases your hot water heater’s operation time.

Check for Leaky Faucets

Periodically inspect your kitchen faucets to ensure they’re not dripping. Leaking faucets can waste up to 1,661 gallons of water each year, at one drip per second.

Prepare Food in the Microwave

Microwaves often get a bad reputation as a “lowly” form of cooking, but they’ll help lower your utility expenses. They actually use less energy than an oven, making them more than just convenient for reheating your leftovers.

Cook Meals on a Weekly Basis

Instead of cooking a different dish every night, prepare meals in bulk. This method not only saves energy, but also money on groceries, too. Plus, using the stove less means less money spent on energy costs.

Use a Lid on a Saucepan

Using a saucepan lid while you’re cooking ensures the stovetop heat is utilized, and that steam doesn’t escape your pan. The less heat lost to the air, the less energy used to cook your food.

Buy a Convection Oven

Unlike a conventional oven, convection ovens evenly circulate air throughout their insides, which lowers temperature requirements and cook times. Plus, convection ovens use 20 percent less energy per month than conventional ovens.

Eat Food that Doesn’t Require Heating

Eating foods like sandwiches, fruit salad, and mixed raw vegetables saves on energy since you’re not heating the foods.They’re a great way to eat a healthy meal while also saving on energy costs. What’s more, the lack of heat also helps keep your home cool during the summer.

While your kitchen wastes significant energy, you can seriously minimize its impact by taking advantage of our above tips. With a little work and a little creativity, you can save on your energy bills while protecting the Earth at the same time.