Holiday Cooking and Energy Savings

Posted on 11-25-2014

The holidays are a time of family and friends gathering together, honoring traditions, and enjoying the season together over culinary delights.  Thankfully, modern appliances use less energy, but the added useage of appliances this time of year can result in a higher energy bill.

Here are some tips to help with keeping your energy costs down while preparing your holiday feast:

Microwave

A microwave uses about 50 percent less energy than a conventional oven and won't heat up your kitchen.  Use your microwave to steam vegetables and other easy items to save.  Reheat left-overs in the microwave instead of turning on the oven.

Oven 

Use the oven light to check on your turkey and casseroles instead of opening the oven door.  Each time you open the oven door, heat escapes and lowers the oven temperature which means longer cooking time and more energy used.  Set a timer to keep you on track!  Also, have a plan for baking several dishes at once - just be sure to keep enough distance between dishes so that heat can circulate around each dish.

Stovetop

A six-inch pan on an eight-inch burner wastes 40 percent of energy, so be sure to match the size of your pans to the burner.  A clean burner saves energy, and if you need to replace a reflector, purchasing the best quality reflector can save  nearly one-third of the energy used during cooking.

Dishwashing

Use the dishwasher for full loads and opt for energy-saving modes.  If you have to rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, use cold water.  Overnight dry settings and air power can save up to 10 percent of energy costs with your dishwasher.  Handwash bigger items that would take up room in the dishwasher, but do not let hot water run or you will end up wasting more energy than saving.

By applying these tips to your holiday cooking and cleaning, you can relax and enjoy your festivities knowing that you aren't adding to your energy bill this holiday season.