10 things you can do to save electricity when it’s cold

1. Avoid opening the refrigerator door unnecessarily

Every time you open the door of your fridge, 30% of the cold air escapes and continues to do so as long as the door remains open. It’s always a good idea to think a little bit about what you’re going to eat for dinner before rummaging through the fridge. You should also pass this message on to teens, who tend to linger in front of its contents when they’re looking to satisfy a craving.

2. Set the devices to the right temperature

The temperature range that allows you to get the most energy efficiency out of your fridge while ensuring the safety of the food stored in it is between 1.7° and 3.3°C (35° and 38°F). The freezer should be set to -18°C (0°F). A temperature of around -25°C (-13°F) represents an increase in energy consumption of about 25%.

3. Make sure the heating element and the pan are the same size

The diameter of the heating elements on your range varies. Using one that is the same size as the pan optimizes energy consumption. An element that is too small increases the cooking time (and the amount of energy required), while an element that is too large results in wasted energy.

4. Encourage the use of pots and pans in good condition and cover them

Pots and pans with warped bottoms will rest poorly on the heating element. Stubbornly using them can increase energy consumption by 50% compared to cookware with a flat bottom. In return, you can reduce your energy consumption by 8% to 14% by putting a lid on pots and pans.

5. Avoid opening the oven door unnecessarily

If you’re wondering how cooking is going, it’s best to look through the window rather than open the door. Every time you do it, 20% of the heat goes up in smoke, so to speak!

6. Opt for convection mode

Does your oven offer a convection option? This method, which circulates hot air inside the appliance, effectively reduces cooking time and food cooks up to 30% faster than in a conventional oven and also cooks more evenly. It’s an easy choice.

7. Turn off the oven and heating elements in advance

By turning off the oven 10 to 15 minutes before the end of cooking, the heat dispersion for the food is not interrupted and it still continues to cook. The same is true when you turn off the stovetop heating element 2 to 3 minutes before removing your pan from the heat.

PRESSURE COOKER

Tagliatelle with Pressure Cooker Bolognese Sauce

PRESSURE COOKER

Pressure Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Pork and Cabbage

PUDDING AND TAPIOCA

Sticky Toffee Pudding in a Cup

8. Remember to turn off the hood

Connected to an exhaust duct, a stove hood sucks up moisture and cooking odours and discharges them outside. But did you know that by leaving it running at the same time as the bathroom fan, both appliances can, in just one hour, exhaust hot air from the entire house? To reduce your heating bill, it’s in your best interest to turn them off after use.

9. Opt for the dishwasher over hand washing

Yes, the dishwasher does use hot water, but not as much as the water you let run when you wash the dishes in the sink. In comparison, modern appliances use less than half the water of a hand wash. In addition, their electricity consumption is low and they do the work for you. Who can top that?

10. Wait until the dishwasher is full before using it

It’s best to fill the dishwasher completely before running it and select the correct setting, which is the shortest (but still optimal) cycle for washing, and the no-heat cycle for drying. By doing so, energy consumption is reduced by 15% to 50%.

Even in the middle of winter and despite freezing temperatures, it is possible to save energy in the kitchen during peak periods, i.e., in the morning, between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Just think about it!

This article is a collaboration between RICARDO and Hydro-Québec.