In any home, the kitchen acts as a central gathering place. Not only is the kitchen the home’s most functioning space, it’s also where you get together with loved ones to eat, drink, and be merry. With so much activity it’s no surprise that homeowners want their kitchens to operate as efficiently as possible.

If you live in a LifeStyle SunSmart home, your kitchen is designed to be efficient, not only in terms of flow and functionality, but energy-wise as well.

While your LifeStyle kitchen has features such as double-pane Lo-E windows and Energy Star®-certified appliances, there are many more—less expensive—things you can do as a homeowner to make your kitchen more energy efficient. Simply closing your refrigerator door tightly can make a massive difference on your electric bill. But it’s not just about saving money. Creating an energy-efficient kitchen benefits the environment and may enhance your daily life as well.

Here are some ideas to enhance the efficiency of your kitchen.

1.Be Cautious About Washing Dishes
No one loves washing dishes by hand, but in most cases, it’s the most energy-efficient way to get the job done. Do your best to only run the dishwasher when it’s full or in a pinch when you don’t have time to wash a load by hand. Fill your sink up with just enough water instead of running the tap while you wash.

2.Burner-to-Pan Ratio
You might not consider the size of your stove’s burners when making a meal but choosing the right burner for your pan is important. A small burner with a large pan will take longer to heat up and cook your food, thus wasting more energy. Always try to match the size of your pan to the right-sized burner.

Another thing to keep in mind is using the lids for your pots and pans. This helps your food to cook quickly so you reduce the run time of your stovetop.

3.Unplug Appliances When Not in Use
It’s tempting and convenient to leave appliances you use daily plugged in. But unplugging your appliances when not in use is one of the easiest ways to have an energy-efficient kitchen. Most devices still use energy when plugged in, even if turned off. By regularly leaving things unplugged, you could save $100 or more per year on utilities. In the same spirit, always keep the kitchen lights off when you’re not in the room.

4.Pick the Right Temperature for Your Fridge and Freezer
Proper food storage is vital but having your fridge and freezer too cold is an unnecessary energy-sucker. According to the FDA, you can keep your fridge at 40° F and your freezer at 0° F—any lower and you’re just wasting energy and increasing the chance that ice will form inside your appliances.

5.Reduce Your Water Consumption
Reducing your water consumption is a simple way to conserve energy. Here are a few ways you can practice reserving water.

  • Don’t leave the tap running while washing dishes or filling water bottles.
  • Instead of running the water until it’s cold enough to drink, fill a pitcher and leave it in the fridge.
  • Use an aerator on your kitchen faucet to keep the water from splashing all over.

6.Don’t Be Afraid to Use the Microwave
Don’t hesitate to use the microwave instead of the oven or stove when reheating food. Your microwave can heat food quicker and more efficiently than your oven.

Designing an energy-efficient kitchen benefits both you and the world around you. At LifeStyle Homes, we pride ourselves on energy-saving building practices. To learn more about LifeStyle Homes and how we can help you score your dream home, contact us at 321-727-8188, or send us a message to request more information.