The kitchen is the heart of the home and can be the heart of your energy savings. Lighting accounts for 5% of a home’s electricity usage, refrigeration 3%, cooking 1% and dishwashers 1%.
No-cost EE tips
- Adjust the refrigerator thermostat to the right temperature – do not over cool/freeze.
- Use lids on pots and pans to boil or cook faster.
- Do not open the oven door unnecessarily.
- Use the microwave instead of the oven or stove whenever possible
- Keep the refrigerator coils clean.
- Use your dishwasher with a full load and not overloaded.
Low-cost EE tips
- Replace your old refrigerator. A 10 year old refrigerator could be costing you $110 per year to run. When shopping for a new refrigerator, be sure to buy one rated by Energy Star, which could use less energy than a 60-watt light bulb
See https://www.energystar.gov/products/most_efficient for a listing of the most efficient models.
- And, be sure to apply for your rebate from NJ Clean Energy Program. https://njcleanenergy.com/flip-your-fridge
- Replace incandescent and CFL lightbulbs with the same level of lighting LEDs. LEDs use less energy and last a whole lot longer. For example, replacing a 60 watt incandescent bulb with a 12 watt LED (which gives the same light level) will save you $5.50 a year and will last 25,000 hours compared to 1,000 for the incandescent bulb. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/save-electricity-and-fuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money/how-energy-efficient-light
Mercer County Sustainability Coalition 