Energy Saving Tips for the Green Kitchen on a Budget
Go CLF
Of course when you think of going green, the easiest step is to replace those household bulbs with CLF. Seem like an expensive task all at once? Try buying them just a few at a time and replace the old bulbs as they burn out. Even better yet, toss out those heavy dust-collecting curtains and let the sunshine in!
Unplug It
Tons of energy is wasted each day by unused appliances that are left plug in. It takes more energy to run the clock on your microwave than it does to run it for five minutes each day. So get started by getting unplugged. Unplug your appliances, your chargers, lamps, etc. after you use them. It takes the same amount of effort to unplug it as it does to turn something off. Still need a clock in your kitchen? Get a battery operated wall clock and use a rechargeable battery!
Toast Away
So you have one of those tiny little toaster ovens hidden inside a kitchen cabinet somewhere, but never use it? Break it out. Make your casseroles in small square casserole dishes and bake it in the toaster oven. Reheat your leftover pizza in there while you’re at it too. It takes a lot less energy to run that little toaster oven than it does your huge electric one, so unless your cooking a huge turkey, why not give it a try.
Cooking something larger than your toaster oven? Use glass or ceramic baking dishes and conserve some energy. They heat up faster and they stay warm longer!
Give the Ice Maker a Break
Turn off the ice maker in the winter. How many cold drinks are you really dying to put some cubes in when its 20 degrees outside anyway? Instead of wasting water and energy making cube after cube all winter long, break out the ice trays and refill them as you use them. Store your already made ice in Ziploc bags for the winter and keep it fresh. No one wants fuzzy ice cubes when you finally get to the bottom of the bin in January.
