6 Easy ways to be more energy-efficient in your kitchen

1. Avoid leaving your appliances on standby or switched on

Whilst understandably some appliances in your home cannot be switched off, such as the fridge-freezer, other appliances could be sitting around wasting energy.

You can save energy just by switching off the plug to avoid appliances such as the dishwasher, microwave or toaster from using phantom energy.

Encourage yourself to get into the habit of turning these appliances off when they are not in use and you’ll be instantly saving.

2. Invest in smart, energy-efficient appliances

One of the best ways to save energy within your kitchen is to invest in smart appliances. Older appliances often use a considerable amount of energy due to their lower efficiency rating so it may be worth upgrading.

Although it may cost you initially, you’ll be saving a lot more time, energy and money in the long run.

For example, the RørosHetta SENSE range from Magnet has put a spotlight on clever solutions. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but the RørosHetta hood range is also the perfect smart appliance.

With an energy rating of A++, they are one of the most eco-friendly options available. And not only is it 70% quieter than the standard hoods it also can connect to the user’s devices in order to be remotely controlled from anywhere.

3. Use the right sized appliance for your needs

Appliances such as fridge-freezers, dishwashers and washing machines are all becoming more energy efficient. However, if your appliances are too big for your needs then they are still going to waste some serious energy.

If you live on your own, you’re most likely not going to need a family sized fridge-freezer, so go smaller and save yourself some money and energy.

4. Use your fridge and freezer efficiently

As Magnet’s research shows, your fridge-freezer is one of the biggest consumers of energy as it’s constantly switched on. An easy way to reduce its energy use is to help the appliance maintain or restore its correct temperature as quickly as possible.

You can do this by making sure cooked food is cooled before putting it in the fridge-freezer, not leaving the doors open for long periods of time, closing the doors correctly and making sure the seals are working properly.

To check the seal, close a piece of paper in the door - if it can be easily pulled out, it needs to be fixed!

Where you position your fridge-freezer in your kitchen is also important to save energy. Try to keep it away from heat sources such as sunlight and your oven or radiators.

Make sure it also has good ventilation by leaving gaps (5-10cm) between the sides, back and top of the fridge-freezer so the hot air that is expelled can escape.

5. Energy-saving cooking 

The main reason we use our kitchens is to cook, so why not save energy whilst doing so. You can reduce your energy use daily just by changing a few simple steps such as covering pots and pans with a lid in order to encourage water to boil quicker and use less energy.

Turning off the heat a few minutes before you have finished cooking is also a great way to cut down energy, as heat will retain as the hob cools down!

6. Cut down on your water usage

To help reduce your bills, you can also focus on reducing the amount of water you waste. It is estimated that 10% of the water we use in the home is used in the kitchen - so it is a great place to start.

You can take small steps to do this by being more efficient with your usage. Despite using more energy, research by Which? found dishwashers use considerably less water compared to hand-washing - with even the least water-efficient models using 50% less.

However, you can also take steps to reduce energy and water use together such as making sure you only boil the necessary amount of water needed when cooking or making a hot drink.

Hayley Simmons, our Director of Commercial Range says:

“To save energy in your kitchen, you can start by reducing your usage a little bit every single day using Magnet’s top tips. By sticking with these small changes, you can start to benefit the environment and save money in the long run.

If you want to make sure you’re saving as much energy as possible, invest in up-to-date technology, smart kitchens and appliances to ensure your home has the best energy rating and reduce your carbon footprint.

“Magnet offers not only innovative smart appliances, but clever integrated designs that can help you seamlessly incorporate everyday appliances into your kitchen design - giving you the best of both worlds: a beautiful and energy-efficient kitchen.”

Other energy-efficient appliances to consider

Investing in energy efficient appliances for your kitchen means that as well as convenience and modern technology you are also making energy saving, and ultimately, money saving choices.  Magnet have an abundance of innovative energy-saving options available, such as:

• Induction hobs

Induction hobs are 90% efficient compared to around gas hobs at 60%. Induction creates heat directly in the base of the pan. This efficiency also means that induction is super-fast and can boil a litre of water in under 90 seconds - faster than most kettles.

• SurroundCook Ovens

Do you need to turn food during cooking? One shelf better than others? With SurroundCook you can use all 5 shelves at the same time with no need to turn food during cooking. No turning, no flavour transfer, even cooking… no problem.

Remember, with Surround Cook you can drop the temperature by 20 degrees and take 10 minutes off an hour, saving you energy.

• ProSense Laundry Machines

With ProSense technology in AEG laundry you can save time, water and energy on every cycle! Each time you start a cycle the machine will calculate the optima combination to ensure your clothes come out perfectly whilst also doing the right thing for our planet.