As gas and electricity prices continue to rise, save energy becomes essential, especially in the kitchen, a room that concentrates many energy-consuming appliances. Refrigerator, electric hobs, freezer, dishwasher, etc. How to optimize their energy consumption to save money?
1 – Choose household appliances according to their energy label
Unlike some electrical appliances that are used occasionally, Appliances that generate “cold” such as refrigerators and freezers operate continuously. These devices alone account for nearly 20% of a household’s electricity bill, so it’s important to choose them wisely. The same goes for cooking appliances (electric hobs, ovens, microwaves, etc.) which account for nearly 10% of a household’s electricity consumption (according to ADEME).
The energy label affixed today to many household appliances dedicated to the kitchen provides important information: the energy consumption of each product. The rating also takes into account the progress made in terms of energy performance. Therefore, it is preferable to opt for household appliances rated at least A+, a rating which thus ensures optimal energy consumption.
For cooking appliances, prefer catalytic ovenswhose cleaning does not consume energy; pyrolysis being on the contrary very energy-intensive. Fan ovens allow you to cook several dishes at the same time, while combined ovens (oven and microwave) reduce the cooking time of food, thus consuming less energy, specifies ADEME.
The importance of climate class for cold-producing devices
Freezers and refrigerators, which have benefited from energy labelling since the 1990s, are now much more energy-efficient than when they were first introduced. While manufacturers have managed to reduce their energy consumption by almost 30% since 1995, Choosing this type of device according to its climate class is essential. In fact, refrigeration appliances are designed to operate optimally under certain ambient temperatures. The climate class of a refrigerator or freezer should therefore be chosen according to the average ambient temperature of the room for which it is intended. Here are the 8 climate classes and their corresponding temperatures:
- SN: temperate extended from 10 to 32 °C
- N: temperate from 16 to 32 °C
- ST: semi-tropical from 18 to 38 °C
- T: tropical from 18 to 43 °C
- SN-T: tropical extended from 10 to 43°C
- NT: temperate to tropical from 16 to 43 °C
- SN-ST: extended subtropical from 10 to 38°C
- N-ST: temperate to subtropical from 15 to 38 °C
In Europe, It is generally advisable to choose a freezer or refrigerator with a climate class Nor ST if you live in the Mediterranean regions. People in colder northern regions can opt for a SN climate class.
Keep in mind that the energy comparison of two household appliances must always be done with equivalent formats, technologies and volumes. Thus, the annual energy consumption in kWh remains a selection criterion on the energy label, since an American refrigerator with a class A ++ can consume much more than a combined refrigerator classified A +… Also, choose your cold-producing appliances according to your real needs.
2 – To save energy in the kitchen, think about its layout
To avoid wasting energy unnecessarily, think about arranging your household appliances wisely. Appliances that produce cold, such as the freezer and refrigerator must not be installed near heat sources such as radiators, ovens or hotplates. If possible, also avoid placing them in direct sunlight. Last but not least, do not stick them to the wall, to allow air to circulate properly and prevent them from operating at full capacity.
3 – Defrost your freezer and refrigerator regularly and take care of them!
According to ADEME, the electricity consumption of a device producing cold can double if the layer of frost forming inside reaches 4 mm. IIt is therefore important to think about defrosting your freezer and your refrigerator as soon as this layer reaches 3 mm. ; a situation which could lead to excess electricity consumption of around 30%.
As a general rule, defrosting your appliances every 3 months is enough. Take the opportunity to check the condition of your seals. If they are too worn, they are likely to let cold escape, which forces the appliance’s motor to start more often.
Still regarding devices producing cold, make sure to adopt the correct temperature settings: between +4°C and +5°C for the refrigerator and –18°C for the freezer. The zones defined according to the food to be stored are also important to respect, the temperature not being uniform in a refrigerator. These indications are written in the appliance, or in its instructions for use.
Finally, avoid storing food that is still warm and prefer to cover liquids such as vegetables, so that the evaporation produced does not force the motor to work harder. Also regularly clean the rear grills of the appliances by dusting them. The dust that accumulates on the latter can cause an excess electricity consumption of almost 30%.
Read also: How to defrost your freezer?
4 – Cover your pans to reduce energy loss
Cover your pans when cooking effectively reduces any energy loss, especially for liquids. Lids also shorten cooking times by allowing heat to concentrate.
For even more energy-efficient cooking, adapt the size of your pots and pans to the diameter of your hobs. Finally, even if they are not suitable for all recipes, pressure cookers can significantly reduce cooking times by dividing them by three, which means less energy spent.
5 – Avoid preheating the oven unless absolutely necessary
We tend to do this out of reflex, but just because preheating time is listed in many recipes doesn’t mean it’s essential. Some preparations do not require preheating.such as those made with white meats which appreciate a gradual rise in temperature.
If preheating seems essential to you, 10 minutes is more than enough. Another way to save money when cooking in the oven: turn off the appliance 10 or 15 minutes before the end of the indicated cooking time, to take advantage of its residual heat.
Also avoid systematically opening the oven door during cooking, which then leads to heat loss. Also prefer the “fan-assisted” option, especially if you have to cook several dishes at the same time.
6 – Clean your oven without overconsumption
To clean your oven without overheating, It is therefore better to leave pyrolysis asidewhich is far too energy-intensive since the grease projections are then destroyed at very high temperatures (500 degrees). Catalytic ovens are therefore preferable, since this is a process that destroys grease by oxidation, from 180°C.
The least energy-intensive solution for cleaning your oven is to regularly wipe the inside with a sponge..
7 – Run your dishwasher when it is full and prefer the “Eco” program
To save waterit is better to favor washing in a dishwasher rather than by hand. The dishwasher would therefore be more ecological according to certain studies, although everything depends on many criteria such as our way of washing dishes by hand, the filling of the machine or even the dishwashing liquid used.
When washing in a dishwasher, it is better to start the wash when the appliance is full and favor the “Eco” programwhich washes dishes at 40-45 degrees. Also remember to run your dishwasher during off-peak hours and, if you haven’t already, choose a model that is both water and energy efficient.
Read also: 10 actions to save water
8 – Install a water saver on your faucet
Still with a view to saving money, water savers, also called aerators or aerators, absorb air to return it with the outgoing water. A phenomenon which allows the flow rate to be reduced, but not the pressure. Which allows reduce your water consumption while benefiting from the same pressure. The flow rate is also regulated, which avoids drops in flow rate when several taps are open at the same time.
9 – Do not leave small household appliances on standby
Pour reduce energy consumptionthink about unplug small appliances like the coffee machine or the kettle. A way to save money, while limiting energy waste.
10 – Choose low-energy light bulbs
Finally, as with all the rooms in your house, prefer low-energy bulbsThe LED bulb is therefore the most energy-efficient since it consumes 10 times less electricity than an incandescent bulb and approximately 7 times less than a halogen bulb.
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Source: www.consoglobe.com
