Household Energy Savings

Kitchen

Fridge/ freezer

No costs/ low costs options

• Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and 5°F for the freezer section. If you have a separate freezer for long-term storage, it should be kept at 0°F.
• To check refrigerator temperature, place an appliance thermometer in a glass of water in the center of the refrigerator.
• Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers; frost buildup decreases the energy efficiency of the unit. Don't allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch.
• Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder
• Look for a refrigerator with automatic moisture control. Models with this feature have been engineered to prevent moisture accumulation on the cabinet exterior without the addition of a heater. This is not the same thing as an "anti-sweat" heater. Models with an anti-sweat heater will consume 5% to 10% more energy than models without this feature.
• Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment, the seal may need replacing, or you might consider buying a new unit.

Some investment

• Look for the ENERGY STARwhen buying a new refrigerator. Select a new refrigerator that is the right size for your household.

Cooking

no costs/ low costs options

• Use your microwave instead of the oven or stovetop.
• If you're using your oven, cook more than one dish at a time.
• Don't open the oven door too often, the temperature drops by up to 15ºC each time.
• Use the correct size pots on the correct size elements.
• Use lids. Covered pots use less energy.
• Use the minimum amount of water to simmer food.
• Boil water in a kettle, not on the stovetop. Use cold water when you're filling the kettle, and use only as much as you need.

Some investment

• If you need to purchase a natural gas oven or range, look for one with an automatic, electric ignition system. An electric ignition saves natural gas because a pilot light is not burning continuously.
• Ensure the seals on your oven are in good condition.

Dishwasher

no costs/ low costs options

• Don't rinse dirty dishes under the hot tap. Run your dishwasher with full loads only and use the economy cycle.
• It is cheaper to boil the jug to wash a few dishes than it is to fill the sink with water from the hot tap.
• If your dishwasher can generate its own hot water then use this feature, it's more efficient than drawing water through cold pipes from the hot water cylinder.
• Turn the dishwasher off after the final rinse cycle and open the dishwasher door slightly to air dry your dishes.
• Scrape, don't rinse, off large food pieces and bones. Soaking or prewashing is generally only recommended in cases of burned-on or dried-on food.

Some investment

• When shopping for a new dishwasher, look for the ENERGY STARlabel to find a dishwasher that uses less water and 25% less energy than required by federal standards.

Sources:

www.meridianenergy.co.nz
www.smarterhomes.org.nz
www1.eere.energy.gov
www.mercury.co.nz