SETTING UP AN ENERGY EFFICIENT KITCHEN & SERVICE YARD

SETTING UP

an energy efficient kitchen and service yard

CHANGING THE WAY YOU CONSUME ENERGY IN THESE AREAS CAN REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILLS.

it should come as no surprise, but the biggest energy guzzlers can be found in the kitchen or service yard with the fridge, freezer and washer/dryer being the biggest culprits. That said, having a multitude of appliances certainly doesn’t help either.

And with hiking energy bills, it pays to look into improving the performance of these machines and introducing changes to make your spaces more efficient.

Watching the wash

It’s a common misconception, but underloading your washing machine does not make it any more energy efficient. In fact, washing one large load at a higher setting consumes less energy than washing two loads on a low or medium setting.

Furthermore, 90 per cent of a washing machine’s energy is consumed to heat the water. Washing your clothes at a temperature of 30 to 40 degrees Celsius can save significant amount of money on your energy bill.

TIP A front load machine typically consumes less electricity and water compared to its top load counterparts.

Downsize your refrigerator

The bigger your fridge is, the more energy it consumes so downsize if needed. If you have an older model, check the door seal frequently to ensure that it is in a good condition – the more cool air escapes, the harder your fridge has to work.

Remember to check the energy label as you shop. The higher the number of ticks that a fridge has, the more efficient it is.

TIP Not only are top freezer fridges the most common style on the market, they’re usually the most energy-efficient models.

Appliance awareness

The modern day kitchen is filled with appliances that use “phantom loads” of energy. What this means is that the appliances are still consuming energy even while they’re on standby. The best way to save energy is to turn them off at the source: at the power sockets. Alternatively, you can use smart plugs to power these energy guzzlers and program them to make them more efficient from anywhere using your smart devices.

TIP With the help of a kilowatt metre, you can check to gauge the energy usage of an appliance when the device is on standby.

Stove service

Using the wrong-sized pan on your stove wastes heat produced by the burner on electric cooktops. Therefore, the pans you use should match the size of your cooking ring.

Burner efficiency is also reduced dramatically when burner pans are blackened from heavy use. To keep it in pristine condition and prevent build-up, you’ll need to clean it regularly with mild dish soap and water.

TIP Induction cooktops are the most energy efficient compared to its gas and electric-coil counterparts, although they’re incompatible with round-bottomed pans like a wok.