Small changes in kitchen habits can lead to substantial savings on utility bills, according to Consumer Reports experts.
“A lot of your energy is probably going to your kitchen... and making some small changes there could help you see some real savings,” says Dan Wroclawski of Consumer Reports.
The key to saving money starts with proper refrigerator use. Consumer Reports recommends minimizing the time spent with refrigerator doors open to keep cold air inside.
Wroclawski warns against a common mistake that can drive up energy costs: overfilling the refrigerator. “Overstuffing it with food can actually cause it to work harder and use more energy, and therefore cost more money because it has to pump more cold air around the food to keep it cold,” he explains. This practice can also increase wear and tear on the appliance.
Regular maintenance plays a crucial role in refrigerator efficiency. Experts recommend brushing or vacuuming the condenser coils every six months to remove dust buildup.
When it comes to cleaning dishes, modern dishwashers offer surprising efficiency advantages over hand-washing. Rather than running water continuously while scrubbing pots and pans, Consumer Reports suggests either soaking them in sudsy water or using the dishwasher.
“More modern or newer dishwashers are incredibly energy-efficient. They will always save you more water compared to hand-washing your dishes,” says Pang-Chieh Ho of Consumer Reports. “You just have to make sure that when you’re using your dishwasher, you’re loading it correctly. And to do that, you can check your owner’s manual beforehand.”
Consumer Reports offers several tips for optimal dishwasher use:
- Skip pre-rinsing dishes
- Simply scrape food off before loading
- Run full loads only
- Clean the dishwasher filter regularly
- Clean inside the door to prevent odors and extend appliance life
Ho notes that most modern dishwashers come equipped with advanced features: “Nearly all of them these days have soil sensors. So what that does is they’ll assess how dirty the dishes are, and then adjust the wash cycle accordingly.”