ENERGY SAVINGS

Easy ways to
make your
kitchen more
energy efficient.

Your kitchen is the heart of your home, where both meals and memories are made, yet it’s also one of the rooms which consumes a significant amount of energy. According to the Climate Council, cooking alone is responsible for almost 7% of the average Australian energy bill. Add appliances and dish washing into the mix and your kitchen will be costing you to run.

The good news is that with a few small changes, you can transform your kitchen into an energy-efficient space that helps you to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on bills. Follow these simple tips to shave dollars off your energy bill.

Swap your stove top for a pressure cooker

If you want to dramatically reduce meal cooking times, consider a pressure cooker. Utilising high-pressure steam to cook food quickly and efficiently reduces cooking times by up to 75%. Not only will pressure cookers mean less time and energy firing up your stove top hobs, they can also preserve a higher nutritional value of your ingredients since cooking with one requires less water.

Super versatile, pressure cookers can simplify cooking by allowing you to cook stews, soups or even prepare rice and grains, all in a single device. This eliminates the need for multiple pots, pans and additional energy-consuming appliances, reducing your overall kitchen expenses in a one-pot wonder!

Create conscious cooking habits

How many times have you over-filled a pan or picked one that’s the wrong size for the job? By cooking more consciously you can save. For instance, according to Actsmart simmering food with the pot lid on (rather than vigorously boiling with the lid off) can reduce energy used in cooking by up to 70%. Match your pot size to your stove element to avoid heating an oversized element.

Create new energy-efficient oven habits. Often, preheating the oven is unnecessary for most recipes, except when explicitly stated. Also consider switching it off five minutes early to take advantage of your oven’s residual heat. The same goes for the grill; even when it’s coming up to cooking temperature, the heat generated will still aid the cooking process.

Clean appliances to help them work more efficiently

Over time, built-up grease and spillages will prevent your oven or stove from working as efficiently. When air filters get clogged up or carbon deposits grow, it can take longer for the desired temperature to be reached, and your oven may not distribute heat as well. Try to clean oven and stove surfaces and interiors frequently to ensure better heat transfer and reduce cooking times.

The same applies to your fridge and freezer. Dust and debris on the coils hinder the transfer of heat, causing the compressor to work harder and consume more energy to maintain the desired temperature. Regularly vacuum or brush off the coils to keep them clean and free from obstructions, helping your refrigerator operate more efficiently and use less energy. Be mindful of ventilating the rear of your fridge with two to three inches of space. If ventilation is restricted, Actsmart states it could add 15% to your fridge’s operating costs.

Summary

• A pressure cooker can reduce cooking times by up to 70% and reduce your reliance on heating multiple pans and appliances.
• Create new energy-saving kitchen habits like simmering pots with lids on, matching your pot size to your stove element and only pre-heating the oven when necessary.
• Keep all major kitchen appliances like ovens and fridges clean to increase their energy efficiency and lower your bills.
  
  

ActewAGL's energy saving tips are designed to help you take control of your energy use, while reducing your bills and environmental impact. Save with great value energy plans backed by our sustainability promise, supported by 100% local, award-winning service - so you can LIVE A Good Life now and into the future.

For more information about how you can transition to an energy-efficient home visit the SolarHub & ActewAGL Smart Energy Hub today.

Sources

https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CC_MVSA0353-CC-Report-Two-for-One-Home-Energy-Efficiency_V5.1-FA-Screen-Single.pdf
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/jan/17/why-a-pressure-cooker-can-save-both-time-and-money
https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/

Disclaimer: These Energy Savings tips and articles are for information purposes only. Please ensure you are aware of any safety precautions before operating appliances or products.