18 Nov
Sharing meals with family and friends is a cherished part of holiday celebrations. However, all of the extra time cooking and baking can impact your energy bill. This year, you can keep your energy bill in check while enjoying the festivities by following these simple tips:
Preheat the oven to the exact temperature required, pre-heating is not necessary for foods that cook for several hours.
Don’t give in to the temptation to peek in your oven! Keep the oven door closed as much as possible to avoid wasting energy.
Use glass and ceramic baking dishes. These materials retain heat better than metal, allowing you to reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees.
Conserve energy and time by baking several batches at once. This could apply to your cookies, pies and other baked goods.
Match the pan size to the burner. For stovetop cooking, this ensures efficient use of energy.
Take advantage of pot and pan covers. They prevent heat loss and reduce cooking time.
Clean your stovetop burners after each use. A clean burner heats more efficiently.
Invest in a slow cooker or toaster oven. These appliances use much less energy than conventional ovens and stoves and are great for heating leftovers.