When hand-washing dishes, use the least amount of washing liquid possible. This reduces water needed for rinsing. If you have an automatic dishwasher, operate it only when it is fully loaded. If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing your dishes before you put them in the washer. Newer models clean more thoroughly.
Don’t let the tap run when you are cleaning your fruits or vegetables. Fill a pan or half the sink with water and use it for rinsing. After you’re done, don’t throw the water down the drain; use it to water your plants
Reduce the number of times the refrigerator or freezer door is opened
While cooking or boiling water, cover your cooking pan with a lid, this makes water boil at a faster rate and your food gets cooked in a shorter time
Try and do all your cooking in one go instead of at intervals. Pans that are flat instead of rounded at the bottom are better conductors of energy
When baking breads, pre-heat the oven or pan 5-8 minutes before placing the bread. As for frying and roasting, don’t pre-heat your pan or oven for a long time
Turn off the oven 5 to 10 minutes before cooking time is up. The trapped heat will finish the cooking
Avoid opening the oven door repeatedly to check on your food. Use a clock or timer instead
Wrap food and cover liquids in the refrigerator.
For small meals, use toaster ovens, small electric pans or the microwave rather than large ovens. You will save a third to half as much energy
Use high-pressure cookers as they use less energy than normal cookers
Self-cleaning ovens are more energy efficient than normal ovens
Keep the refrigerator full if possible. It takes less energy to cool a full refrigerator or freezer than an empty one
Make sure you clean your fridge and freezer often and defrost it. Frost build-up increases the amount of energy to keep the motor running
When buying a fridge or freezer, buy one that is efficient rated or has the best energy rating
Don’t keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. It is recommended to keep the fresh food compartment of your fridge 4ºC and the freezer-10ºC
Regularly check the rubber strip around the door of the refrigerator • Clean the cooling filters behind the refrigerator every six months at least
If you accidentally drop ice cubes when taking some from the freezer, don’t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead
Invest in a good quality exhaust fan
Try to use appliances that are small in size rather than large appliances
Appliances consume energy even while switched off. Make sure you unplug your mixers, grinders, juicers, blenders, pressure cookers etc., from the power supply after your use
Don’t use running water to thaw frozen meat and food. Defrost it overnight in the refrigerator or if you have a microwave use the defrost setting
Install an instant water heater on your kitchen sink so you don’t waste water while you wait for it to heat up
