What's for dinner? Cook up some savings.

Cooking habits, along with energy-efficient appliances, impact energy use in your kitchen. Replacing old, inefficient appliances and making simple changes to how you cook can add up to big savings. Try some of these strategies. 

Kitchen Appliances

• If you have a convection setting on your oven, use it. Cooking with a convection setting uses up to 20% less energy than the bake setting does.
• Induction cooktops are 12% more efficient at heating food than a smooth-top electric cooktop or range, according to the Department of Energy.
• Use the Energy Star's “Flip your Fridge” savings calculator to see how much energy your old refrigerator is costing you.

Energy-Saving Practices

• Unplug appliances that draw power even when turned off, such as blenders, coffee makers, and toasters.
• Turn the oven or stove burners off a few minutes before your food is ready.
• Put a lid on it. Cover pans while cooking to prevent heat loss.
• Keep your refrigerator full; the more items in your fridge, the less energy it takes to keep them cold.
• Use ceramic or glass pots and pans which allow you to lower the oven 25° degrees.
• Start your self-cleaning oven immediately after you’ve used, reducing the time to reheat it.
• For electric stovetops, use copper pans which get hot faster. 
• Match the size of your pans to the size of your burners. 

Cook up more kitchen-saving tips by the Energy Education Council.