The UK’s cost of living crisis has dominated the headlines. Soaring interest rates and rising inflation has led to a fall in ‘real’ disposable incomes. Meanwhile, sky-high energy prices are further exacerbating the issue. As a result, most households have seen their utility bills increase significantly this year. So, it’s never been more important to keep a close eye on how to save electricity and ultimately energy expenditure.
Our key kitchen appliances are essentials we can’t live without. But implementing even small changes to the way we use them can make a big difference to our energy bills. Read on for lots of expert tips to help you use your appliances more efficiently and to discover how to save electricity in your kitchen.
How to save electricity with refrigeration
Did you know that fridges and freezers account for around 13% of the average household’s energy bills? Yet it’s unrealistic to expect a fully-functional modern kitchen not to have them. Unlike other appliances which can be used less frequently, by their very nature, fridges and freezers need to stay on all the time. As a result, these are continually drawing power to maintain a constant temperature. So, that might seem like a problem if your goal is all about how to save electricity in your kitchen. Nonetheless, there are still a number of meaningful steps you can take to reduce these appliances’ energy consumption.
First and foremost, invest in the best. Your fridge-freezer is usually one of the longest lasting appliances in your home. So, it’s really worthwhile getting as much bang for your buck as possible. In particular, pay close attention to the energy ratings. The more energy-efficient an appliance is, the more economical it is to run. For example, choosing a fridge freezer with an energy class up could save you as much as £58 a year. In fact, over time, those savings really add up. Special modes like 'Eco' and 'Holiday', will also save you energy and money.
Fancy a few more top tips for how to save electricity with these appliances?
Keep your fridge full but don’t overcrowd it! That’s because keeping air cold uses more energy than refrigerating the actual food.
Don’t leave your fridge and/or freezer door open for longer than necessary either.
Position your appliance away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Always make sure your fridge/freezer is operating at the optimum temperature.
Energy-saving ovens
Any meaningful recommendations on how to save electricity in your kitchen should include some practical advice on ovens. In fact, switching up your cooking routine could well hold the key. If you haven’t already, why not embrace meal planning and batch cooking? That’s because warming up meals uses less energy, while cooking larger quantities saves it.
Another top tip is to remove any accessories, such as extra trays and grids, that use up heat. In addition, skip the preheat function. Many dishes, like roasts and casseroles, can be placed straight into a cold oven, especially if it’s fan-assisted. In fact, according to AMDEA, using the fan rather than the conventional oven setting can easily save you £20 a year. Also, if your oven has them, take full advantage of handy extras, such as timers, automatic cooking programmes and other Smart features. After all, these help to avoid wasting energy and ensure perfectly cooked food.
Other cooking options
While your oven is the hero of your kitchen, getting creative with other cooking options can save you energy, time and money. Instead of wasting energy bringing cold water to the boil in a pan, use a hot water tap. Boiling water taps are great for making tea and coffee as they expend much less energy than a traditional kettle.
Induction hobs are yet another energy-efficient option. They work by creating a magnetic field between the hob and the pan. Only the area underneath your cooking vessel heats up, meaning there’s no wasted heat.
Lastly, make the most of your microwave! Did you know it can cost just 4p to cook a baked potato this way, compared with £1.04 in an oven? Combination models with built-in convection ovens offer even more versatility, too with subsequent electricity savings.
Laundry and dishwasher considerations
Washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers are some of the worst offenders in terms of energy consumption. They account for 14% of a typical energy bill. Yet each one is part and parcel of modern life. So, how to save electricity with these appliances revolves around savvy usage strategies. Think lower temperatures, where possible, and opt for full loads.
Look for models with features such as a 'Rapid' programme and 'Delay' start button (useful if you’re on a ‘time of use’ energy tariff). This will also decrease your electricity expenditure. Regular use of the Eco mode could also save you up to £54 per year.
Energy-efficient dishwashers
The great news about dishwashers is that they are usually more energy-efficient than hand washing, because they actually use far less water. However, like your washing machine, you should only run it when it’s fully loaded, but not overloaded. You should always choose the Eco cycle too, as this could save you £37 per year. In addition, take a few seconds to remove any large residue before you hit the start button, to benefit from more efficient cleaning.
Choose your tumble dryer wisely
No article on how to save electricity in your kitchen would be complete without a special mention of your tumble dryer. I know how invaluable these can be when you have multiple loads of laundry to dry, and it’s raining sideways outside. Tumble dryers are known for being costly to run. However, one way to minimise this is to buy an energy-efficient model with a heat pump, instead of a condenser. These appliances recirculate warm air back through the drum, so it’s reused to dry clothes faster. According to AMDEA, a heat pump tumble dryer (as opposed to a condenser model) could save you £130 a year. Other strategies to save electricity include maintaining your filters. Make sure to only tumble dry laundry that has already been spin-dried, (or at least thoroughly wrung) to shorten the drying time needed.
Do you feel like your kitchen could do with some energy and money saving appliances?! Give us a call on: 01227 456567 and we can help you keep the pounds in your pocket...