How Can I Make My Appliances More Efficient

If you’re looking at your utility bill, scratching your head and wondering how it could have ever climbed so high, it’s time to reevaluate how you’re using your energy. Naturally, the kitchen and the appliances you use every day are the first place to look. Parts Town can help you answer the question: How can I make my appliances more efficient? We’ll provide some background knowledge on the most energy-efficient and energy-draining appliances with helpful tips to get your utility bill back within the green zone.

What Kitchen Appliances Use the Most Electricity?

It should come as no surprise that the bigger the appliance, the more energy it uses to carry out its heating and cooling capabilities. As it just so happens, these appliances are also the ones that typically get used the most. You may not be able to avoid them altogether, but there are things you can do to reduce their energy consumption and make your kitchen more eco-friendly.

• Refrigerators & Freezers – Refrigerators are among the top energy users in residential and commercial kitchens because they run continuously. Models that feature automatic ice makers, through-the-door dispensers, or freezer compartments on the side or bottom are less energy efficient due to air leakage and circulation, frequent defrost cycles and reduced thermal insulation.
• Electric Ovens & Stoves – Traditional electric ovens, stoves and ranges aren’t as energy efficient as their gas counterparts. As it so happens, induction stoves are even more energy efficient than gas-operated ones. 
• Dishwashers – Heating the water to sanitize dishes and remove grime takes a lot of energy. However, selecting eco cycles, not using heated dry options and only running the dishwasher when it’s full can help make these appliances a little more sustainable.

What Kitchen Appliances Are Most Energy Efficient?

As it is, the oven, stove, microwave, combi ovens, toasters, etc. have a lot of overlap in functionality. So, knowing what appliances are the most energy efficient and which are not can help lower your carbon footprint in the kitchen and your utility bill at the end of the month.

• Microwave – These countertop appliances are extremely energy-conservative. For example, compared to a conventional electric oven that uses between 2,000-5,000 watts, microwaves only use 600-1,200 watts and take only a fraction of the time to cook food without heating up the kitchen.
• Convection ovens – These ovens use a fan and exhaust system to help evenly distribute hot air, cooking food faster at lower temperatures. And according to energystar.gov, they’re 20% more energy efficient than standard ovens.
• Electric slow or pressure cooker – If you're fixing up some stew or soups, an electric slow or pressure cooker is a better alternative to stovetops, which use significantly more energy. 
• Toaster ovens –Although toaster ovens use 40% more energy than microwaves, they’re still a more economical choice than traditional ovens. So, if you’re cooking in small batches that need a crispy finish, toaster ovens can give you the same results but at a fraction of the energy. 
• Electric Kettles – If you need to boil water, do so in an electric kettle. They’re more efficient than an electric stovetop or microwave because they heat the water directly and automatically turn off when finished. 
• Induction Cooktops – Induction technology uses electromagnetic energy to directly heat cookware, eliminating heat loss through stove burners and surrounding air. For that reason, induction cooking is more efficient than traditional methods.

How Can I Make My Appliances More Energy Efficient?

So we’ve discussed the major energy sucks lurking in your kitchen, but what can you do about it? Luckily, the number on your utility bill isn’t set in stone. Try out these tips to make your cooking appliances more energy-efficient:

Replace Old Appliances

Outdated appliances are one of the biggest drains on home and food service business resources. As it is, kitchen appliances last anywhere from 10-15 years, depending on the appliance and how on top of maintenance you are. 

When it is time to replace your appliance, consider Energy Star alternatives. The energy savings alone can reduce your utility bills by thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your equipment. Not only that, many states offer rebates, incentives and tax credits for making the switch.

Adjust the Temperature Settings 

Double-check the thermostat or wattage settings on your kitchen appliances to optimize setpoint and cooking temperatures. Consult the manufacturer’s service and installation manuals to return your appliance to its factory settings. As a rule of thumb, the ideal temperature for refrigerators is between 37-40℉ (3-4℃) and freezers 0℉ (-18℃). 

Check the Seals  

Adjusting the temperature on your fridge or freezer isn’t going to have much of an impact if the gaskets and seals are loose or cracked. Visually inspect the door gaskets on your fridges, freezers and ovens for cracks, fissures, kinks or tears that could be letting out all your cold air and driving your utility bills to skyrocket!

Perform the dollar bill test to confirm the seal. However, instead of a dollar bill that notoriously harbors germs and bacteria, use a clean piece of paper. Close it in the door and try pulling it out. If it slips out easily, it’s time to make a real OEM replacement. However, if you’re met with resistance, there’s still some life left in the gasket. 

Replace Filters  

Dirty filters can have a significant impact on your cooking equipment’s energy efficiency. Not to mention, they’re found in almost all large kitchen appliances. Here’s a list of appliances that use filters and how often you should clean or replace them:

• Refrigerators – The frequency of replacements will depend on the manufacturer’s recommendations, but a good rule is to go no more than 6 months between changes. 
• Dishwashers – Dishwasher filters are designed to be reusable and are usually located on the bottom of the tub. You can clean dishwasher filters by running them under warm water and using a soft-bristled brush to clean gunk and debris. This should be done at least once a month.
• Microwaves – Have you ever opened up your microwave and noticed an odor? It’s pretty common for how often they get used. That’s why you should clean the grease filters at least once a month and replace the carbon filters every 6 to 12 months.
• Range Hoods & Vent Fans – Both of these have grease filters that need cleaning at least once a month. If they also have charcoal filters, replace them every 6 to 12 months.
• Air Fryers – Air fryers have grease filters on the bottom to catch grease drippings and protect mechanical components. Wash or replace these every 3-6 months or as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Unplug Appliances when not in Use

Of course, you can’t unplug your refrigerator or freezer, but that doesn’t mean you’re always using your microwave, stove, kettle, oven, toaster oven, grill or other kitchen appliance. Many pieces of kitchen equipment draw phantom energy, even when turned off. Others will continue to draw power to fuel features like display clocks and standby modes. According to the US Department of Energy, the simple act of unplugging home appliances when they’re not in use can save you up to $100 per year.

There are other benefits to unplugging your kitchen before you leave your house or place of work for the day. It can reduce the risk of fire and prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the wiring, plug and other components, ensuring you don’t just save money on your energy bills but on your maintenance costs as well. 

Perform Regular Maintenance 

Regularly replacing commonly worn-out parts with real OEM replacements and sticking to a rigid cleaning and maintenance schedule can help your machine last longer and perform more efficiently.

Using real OEM replacement parts ensures an exact fit down to the millimeter, lending to a heightened and more efficient performance. Along with getting the right replacements for fixes that stick, regularly cleaning your equipment can alleviate the strain of dirt, dust and mold. This buildup forces appliances to work harder to produce the same heating and cooling results.

Use appliances Strategically 

One of the easiest ways to make your appliances more efficient is leveraging not using them as often, and when you do, employing tactics to reduce unnecessary energy consumption: 

• Only run the dishwasher when full – The dishwasher uses the same amount of energy whether you wash one plate or 12. Even if you have to buy more dishes and silverware to ensure there’s enough to go around, it saves more money and energy than running the dishwasher several times a day.
• Cover pots and pans – When cooking on the stovetop or range, be sure to cover your pots and pans to retain heat and reduce the cook times, saving energy. 
• Keep the refrigerator & freezer full – A fully stocked refrigerator and freezer actually uses less energy because the food absorbs and helps retain cold temperatures. But be careful! Don’t overload your refrigeration units, as this could disrupt air circulation and reduce cooling efficiency.
• Cook in bigger batches – The more often you turn on your oven, stove or range, the more energy it expends to reach those high temperatures. Meal planning for the week so you can reheat leftovers in the less energy-intensive microwave or toaster oven. 
• Use the right-sized burners – Size the pot or pan to the quantity of food you’re cooking and the pot or pan to the burner. You should not be able to see the burner once the pot has been placed on top of it. If you can, you’re wasting heat and energy. 
• Keep the oven door closed – Instead of opening the oven door to check on the status of your dinner, use the oven light. Frequently opening the door can drop the interior temperature and cause your oven to work harder to restore setpoints. 
• Avoid pre-rinsing dishes – Don’t pre-rinse dishes! Not only does it waste water, but it's entirely unnecessary. Modern dishwashers are powerful enough to bust burnt-on, caked-on food residue while using a fraction of the water that comes out of the tap. 

Recalibrate Appliances & Thermostats 

Over time, settings can drift from their factory or programmed settings. That’s why it’s vital to recalibrate your appliances at least once a year, if not more if you notice performance issues or temperature fluctuations. Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, ovens, ranges, coffee machines and thermostats are all appliances that can benefit from regular calibrations.