Cooking Up Energy Savings this Holiday Season
December 20, 2021
The holiday season is here, which means it’s time to connect with friends and family— and of course— it’s also time for some delicious food. If you’re like most people, you gather for family dinners throughout the holidays and spend lots of time in the kitchen.
While this is a wonderful season for reuniting with loved ones, the additional cooking can take a toll on your energy bill – unless you follow these energy-saving tips.
Don’t Open the Oven Door While Cooking
It’s tempting to check on cakes and casseroles to make sure they’re cooking evenly but avoid the temptation. This habit isn’t good for your cooking, and it’s even worse for your energy bill. Instead, use your oven window to take a peek, or simply set a timer to remind yourself that dinner is ready. Also, keep a lid on your pots and pans to keep in heat and use less energy while cooking your meal.
Match the Size of Your Pots to Your Stove’s Burners
The burners on your stove are different sizes due to the variety of sizes in which pots and pans come in. If you use a large burner for a small pot, you’re simply wasting energy. It’s best to match the pot or pan precisely to the size of the burner. If the pan is just a little too large, it will still cook evenly without wasting gas or electricity.
Keep Your Oven Clean
A clean oven is ideal because it allows heat to transfer more evenly, which saves energy. If you regularly clean your oven, you’ll also save your physical energy since it’s much easier to clean a slightly dirty oven than a filthy one. If you have a self-cleaning oven, turn it on immediately after baking. With your oven already heated, you’ll use less energy to heat the oven to the cleaning temperature.
Use Your Grill
If you have a grill and temperatures are above freezing, you might consider cooking your holiday meal outdoors. It’s nice to get out of the stuffy kitchen on a pretty day, and your energy bill will thank you for it.
Only Store Room Temperature Food in the Fridge
Before you put away holiday leftovers, let the food come down to room temperature. Refrigerators consume more energy when cooling food that’s still hot, so it’s best to let it sit for a while first. Once the food is stored safely, you can take some time to reflect on all the money you saved by staying energy-conscious this holiday season.
Take control of your holiday spending with the help of Union Power. Following these holiday cooking tips can help ensure you’re not eating into your holiday budget, and you’re able to comfortably enjoy your events without concern of high energy bills. Learn more ways to save energy by visiting union-power.com.