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How to Choose and Use Ecofriendly Kitchen Appliances
Inefficient kitchen appliances waste energy and money. Here's how to pick and use appliances wisely
I co-own departure: architecture planning interiors in Portland, Oregon, where I design both new residences and remodels. With a focus on forward-thinking sustainable designs, my preferred palette includes natural materials, simplicity, and playful contrasts.
I co-own departure: architecture planning interiors in Portland, Oregon,... More »
Choosing energy-efficient appliances benefits everyone. TopTen USA, an independent organization that researches and ranks the most efficient appliances, says: "If you're going to waste money, waste it on something more fun than your electrical bill."
Be smart with money and energy with these tips for selecting kitchen appliances and using them more efficiently.
Be smart with money and energy with these tips for selecting kitchen appliances and using them more efficiently.
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| Refrigerators Refrigerators are energy hogs, accounting for 9 to 15 percent of your home's electricity use. Luckily, choosing an energy-efficient refrigerator can be as easy as looking for the Energy Star label, which guarantees the appliance has met government standards. However, all Energy Star appliances are not created equal — energy consumption still varies significantly from model to model. The Energy Star website can help you compare models to find to the most efficient refrigerator. Size matters. If you buy a refrigerator too small for your needs and keep it packed full, the refrigerator will have to work harder and use extra energy. Similarly, oversize refrigerators keep excessive space cool. Refrigerators smaller than 25 cubic feet should meet the needs of most households. Configuration matters too. Consumer Reports measured the usable space in a refrigerator and found that top freezer models average about 80 percent usable space, bottom freezers average 67 percent and side-by-side units average 63 percent. Know too that side-by-side refrigerators use roughly 20 percent more electricity than other models. Forgo the ice maker and in-door water and ice dispenser. Studies suggest these features can each increase overall refrigerator energy consumption by 10 to 15 percent. Money- and energy-saving tips:
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by KellyBaron
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| Gas Cooktops/Ranges The cooktop/range is the only kitchen appliance that has a fuel option: electricity or natural gas (or propane in some locations). Unless you have access to renewable power, both options have significant impacts on the environment, so it's worth understanding the options. Electricity Pros: Electrical appliances have the option to be fueled by renewable power if you add solar panels in the future. Also, most electrical utility companies have a program where you can pay a small added cost to support green renewable power. Cons: Much of our electricity is generated from coal, which is the most significant man-made contributor to greenhouse gases. Also, roughly 70 percent of electric power is lost in transmitting it from its source to your home. Natural Gas Pros: Natural gas is a relatively inexpensive and efficient fuel source and the cleanest fossil fuel, emitting 45 percent less carbon dioxide than coal. Cons: Cooking on gas appliances introduces combustion by-products into your home, including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide. This is especially worrisome in newer, more airtight houses. While a good exhaust hood can remove up to 70 percent of these pollutants, it doesn't remove all of them. Also, natural gas is commonly sourced by hydraulic fracturing or "fracking," which involves injecting millions of gallons of water, sand and chemicals deep into the earth under high pressure to break up rock formations, releasing the gas. At this time there is some evidence demonstrating that air, groundwater and drinking water are being contaminated from the process, causing several nations and even some U.S. states to ban fracking. |
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Magnetic Induction Cooktops
The magnetic induction cooktop is the rising star of energy-efficient kitchen appliances. Typical electric or gas stoves heat the air under the pan, but a magnetic induction cooktop's heat is transferred directly to the pan through high-tech magnetism, leading to little wasted heat. Heat is generated quickly and is infinitely adjustable, just like gas.
And because the heat needs a metallic surface for conduction, it's cool to the touch, making for a safer kitchen. Just make sure you have the right cookware to conduct the heat.
Money- and energy-saving tips:
The magnetic induction cooktop is the rising star of energy-efficient kitchen appliances. Typical electric or gas stoves heat the air under the pan, but a magnetic induction cooktop's heat is transferred directly to the pan through high-tech magnetism, leading to little wasted heat. Heat is generated quickly and is infinitely adjustable, just like gas.
And because the heat needs a metallic surface for conduction, it's cool to the touch, making for a safer kitchen. Just make sure you have the right cookware to conduct the heat.
Money- and energy-saving tips:
- Put a lid on it. Cover pots and pans to keep heat in and cook your food faster.
- Be passive with your pasta. Kate Heyhoe, author of Cooking Green: Reducing Your Carbon Footprint in the Kitchen, teaches us that we don't need to boil pasta for the full cooking time. Instead boil it for two minutes, then turn the burner off, cover the pot with a lid and let the pasta sit in the water for the remaining recommended cooking time. Your pasta will be cooked in the same amount of time and will have used less energy.
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Ovens
Wall ovens are available in three widths: 24, 27 and 30 inches. The energy used by a wall oven relates to its size, so it's worth going for a smaller unit if it will meet your needs. If you have the occasional need for more capacity, opt for two smaller ovens rather than one larger unit. You'll save energy by frequently using just one of the smaller ovens, and for large gatherings you'll still have all the capacity you need.
Seek a model with a convection oven, in which a fan continuously circulates heated air around the food. This means that the temperature and cooking times can be reduced, using 20 percent less energy. Also look for a self-cleaning feature, as these models are better insulated, which boosts energy efficiency by maintaining oven temperatures.
Money- and energy-saving tips:
Wall ovens are available in three widths: 24, 27 and 30 inches. The energy used by a wall oven relates to its size, so it's worth going for a smaller unit if it will meet your needs. If you have the occasional need for more capacity, opt for two smaller ovens rather than one larger unit. You'll save energy by frequently using just one of the smaller ovens, and for large gatherings you'll still have all the capacity you need.
Seek a model with a convection oven, in which a fan continuously circulates heated air around the food. This means that the temperature and cooking times can be reduced, using 20 percent less energy. Also look for a self-cleaning feature, as these models are better insulated, which boosts energy efficiency by maintaining oven temperatures.
Money- and energy-saving tips:
- Save your oven for large or multiple dishes. Ovens are inherently inefficient — only about 6 percent of the energy from a typical oven is absorbed by the food.
- Use your oven light to check on food's progress. Every time you open the oven door, the temperature drops 25 to 50 degrees.
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by Imagine Living
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| Exhaust Hoods Find an efficient kitchen exhaust hood by seeking an Energy Star–rated model, which is quieter and uses 65 percent less energy. Once you have an efficient model, do not be conservative with its use. Your ventilation hood is essential to keeping your indoor air quality safe by getting rid of:
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| Dishwashers Seek out an Energy Star–rated dishwasher, which is at least 10 percent more efficient than other models. And choose a model with several wash cycle options, like "energy saver" and "no-heat drying." Your dishwasher is a stealth energy consumer: Between 80 and 90 percent of a dishwasher's energy consumption is tied to the water heater. Search for models that are water misers. Also look for a dishwasher with a booster heater, which allows your water heater to remain at the recommended 120 degrees and boosts the hot water for your dishwasher to 140 degrees, as needed to melt newer dishwasher soaps. Money- and energy-saving tips:
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| Microwaves The humble microwave can be an energy saver, consuming between one-fifth and one-half as much energy as conventional stoves. Know too that concerns of microwave radiation have been mitigated by FDA regulation. However, microwave emissions do increase at the glass window, so I prefer models without a glass window, like the one here. Money- and energy-saving tips:
More ecofriendly kitchen tips: Healthier Kitchen Cabinets Healthy Kitchen Habits More guides to today's ecofriendly kitchen |
Ideabook published on May 29, 2012.
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My apologies if the link is not allowed but thought it might be useful.
May have to rethink my design.
p.s.
Here's the working link from HT, (with full stop removed)
http://www.hometipster.com/DIY/how_to_save_energy_in_the_kitchen.aspx
http://applianceadvisor.com/
Two cost saving tips I have....
1) Because I see so many people do it... to not let the water run. They'll turn it on and do things while the water is running. Even if it's gotten hot or cold, whichever they were waiting for!
2) And lights? People have them on everywhere! When it's time to eat, we only keep the light over the table on, all the rest get turned off.
A cost saving tip I'd like to see? Have appliances last like they used to. We are tossing too many appliances and electronics in the dumps.
@Terraforma: I understand your point, however - while embodied energy is essential to consider, energy consumption over the life of an appliance statistically has a greater impact on the environment. There are certainly a load of factors that weigh into the balance of the two - embodied energy vs. energy consumption - but in general this approach has proven true.
@sandman77: I've tried to avoid editorializing here, instead sticking to well-documented facts. I'm happy to provide you with the source of any info you'd like - just let me know if there's an item in particular.
@Teresa: I agree that buyers need to read product reviews to ensure they purchase durable appliances. Thankfully there are many manufacturers who can provide both durable and energy efficient appliances!
Leftovers
Discard any food left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if the temperature was above 90 °F).
Place food into shallow containers and immediately put in the refrigerator or freezer for rapid cooling.
Use cooked leftovers within 4 days.
Reheat leftovers to 165 °F.
To be clear: Two hours means two hours from the time the food is removed from the heat. This includes cocktail hour, dinner time, and cleanup.
Most people who think they have the "stomach flu" have been poisoned by left over pasta or rice which has joined the Dark Side.
Article I found very useful, good job.
I am so conflicted about gas though because I love gas stoves and I have a ceramic top now but still wish I had gas. Electric does make better sense though in terms of using a renewable resource.