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Save energy costs in the kitchen

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 16, 2005

2. STAY COOL. Don't place your refrigerator too close to or in the path of a heat source, such as direct sunlight, the stove or dishwasher.

3. BUT DON'T STAY TOO COOL. You can save energy by making sure your refrigerator and freezer aren't colder than they need to be. Recommended temperatures are 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit for the fresh food compartment of the fridge, and 5 degrees for the freezer section. Stand-alone freezers should be 0 degrees.

4. KEEP THE COILS CLEAN. Vacuum the condenser coils on the back of your refrigerator at least once a year to maintain maximum efficiency.

5. DEFROST THAT FREEZER, THEN FILL 'ER UP. Keep your freezer full for optimal efficiency, and regularly defrost manual-defrost freezers and refrigerators. Frost buildup makes it harder for the motor to run, so don't allow it to build up more than a quarter-inch.

6. PREPARE FOR HURRICANES. Nervous about keeping your freezer full of meats and other foods that could go to waste if the power goes out? You can fill plastic milk and juice containers with water and freeze them instead. They will help keep the freezer cold if there is a power outage, and if necessary, you can drink the water during or after the hurricane.

7. USE YOUR DISHWASHER WISELY. When shopping for one, compare models carefully, noting how much energy and water they require. Once you bring a dishwasher home, operate it efficiently by running it only when it is full.

8. OPT FOR COLD WATER. When running the faucet in your kitchen sink for short periods of time, move the faucet lever into the cold position. Setting it in the hot position uses extra energy to heat the water, even if that hot water never makes its way to the kitchen.

9. CEASE AND DESIST - COOKING, THAT IS. Do you cook with electricity? If so, the heating elements on your stove top and in your oven stay hot for some time, so you can turn the burners or the oven off several minutes before you're done cooking something. You'll save electricity and still finish the job.

10. FIND OTHER WAYS TO COOK. Learn to fall in love with toaster ovens, microwaves and pressure cookers. They use less energy and reduce cooking times. If you must use your regular stove or oven, consider whipping up double or triple batches of meals and freezing them for future use.

Sources: U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Division www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips; Home Energy Saver (http://hes.lbl.gov)

[Last modified October 12, 2005, 21:39:02]