Energy saving tips for the kitchen

January 30th, 2012

Appliance Questions Environment, Energy & Water Saving Toasters & Kettles

One in two Australians are switching off appliances in an effort to save on their energy bill. Whether it’s an imminent carbon tax and subsequent energy price hikes or caring for the environment, TVs and beer fridges are being given the flick nationwide.

Turning off appliances is certainly the most effective way of saving energy, but for those looking for a less dramatic solution,  Appliances Online has put together a couple of energy saving tips for the kitchen.

Power saver: Keep heating and cooling appliances apart

Energy is used in kitchen appliances to either heat or cool. This means that if you place a cooling appliance such as a fridge or freezer next to a heating appliance such as dishwasher or an oven, the fridge will work harder to keep cool and vice versa.

While fridges and ovens are usually well insulated they’re not completely impervious to the transfer of temperature. For example, opening the fridge door while the dishwasher is working will allow cool, dry air to escape and let in warm, humid air. This will make your fridge work harder and use more energy to keep cool.

How are the seals on your fridge and oven looking? Old, dry, cracked seals may leak cool air from the fridge or warm air from the oven, causing your appliances to work harder.

If rearranging the kitchen isn’t an option, you can try to reduce the direct transfer of heat between two appliances by fitting a small peice of heat-resistant insulation between them. It might not be the ideal fix, but if you are unable to move around your appliances it’s an option at least.

The energy saver - Morphy Richards electric kettle

Power saver: Use the kettle to boil water

According to Treehugger.com – a Discovery company – boiling water with an electric kettle is more efficient than using a microwave or a pot on the stove. Using 350mls of water as a test, Treehugger boiled water with all three methods and found the electric kettle was 81 per cent efficient, the microwave was 47 per cent efficient and a pot on the stove was 31 per cent efficient.

Do you have any energy saving tips for the kitchen you’d like to share with us?