Start with the most energy hungry appliances in your kitchen like your fridge and dishwasher (if you have one). It is no secret that fridges devour energy. However, there are ways you can keep its energy consumption down.

• Maintain your fridge temperature between 3 °C and 5 °C. You do not really need to keep it any colder than that and if you do, it is a waste of energy.
• Dust-free coils – dusty condenser coils at the back of your fridge can boost your energy usage by up to 30% (source: http://www.greenconsumerguide.com). So on cleaning day, do not forget to get in behind the fridge.
• Use a fridge saver plug – this handy little plug turns your fridge motor off when it is not needed and can save 20% of your fridge’s running costs (source: http://www.doctorenergy.co.uk).
• Keep your fridge cool by positioning it away from sources of heat i.e. cookers and boilers. If you can, position your fridge somewhere cool and where it is free standing
• An A grade fridge is the most energy efficient fridge available. Fridges are graded A to G according to their energy efficiency. So when shopping for a new fridge, look for an A grade.

Machine wash vs. hand wash

You may think that washing the dishes by hand would be the greener option, not so. A study conducted by the University of Bonn, in Germany reveals that using a dishwasher can be as efficient as washing the dishes by hand, provided you operate it with care.

If you have a dishwasher, these useful tips could help you save energy:

• Only turn your dishwasher on when it is full. A dishwasher uses the same amount of energy whether it is half-full or full.
• Eliminate the pre-wash cycle. Scrape and rinse your dishes under cold water before you load them into the dishwasher.
• Air dry. Instead of using the drying cycle on your dishwasher, open the door and let the air dry your dishes instead.
• Use phosphate-free and chlorine free tablets and rinse aid. You should be able to buy them at most supermarkets. They are a lot friendlier on the environment than petrochemical detergent tablets and rinse aids.

If a dishwasher is a luxury you do not have, here are a few tips on how to save energy when doing the washing up:

• Do not leave the hot tap running. Rather fill up the basin to wash up.
• Use an eco-friendly washing-up liquid

How to be a green cook

Here are some useful tips to help you save energy when cooking:

• Put the lid on the saucepan when boiling water
• Steaming your vegetables uses less water and energy plus your vegetables retain more nutrients
• Instead of boiling try simmering your food
• Use your microwave when you can. A microwave oven uses only 20% of the energy used to heat food in a full-size gas or electric oven (source: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/index.htm)

A word of warning

Non-stick frying pans have revolutionised the modern day fry-up but there is a dark side to Teflon worth knowing about. Organisations like the WWF believe fumes given off by Teflon frying pans are responsible for the deaths of pet birds. There is no proof that these fumes are harmful to humans but if it can kill a bird, I would use any Teflon pan carefully.
So, when cooking with your Teflon frying pan:

• Always add water or oil to the pan when you turn on the flame so it absorbs the hear
• Only use your pan on a medium-high setting
• Bin your non-stick pan if it has scratches or particles that flake off into your food. When the non-stick surface degrades, harmful chemicals can escape.

If this has made you weary about using a Teflon pan, you can always use a cast iron or stainless steel pan. It may not be as easy to wash up but at least you know it will not give off any nasty fumes or chemicals.

Home insurance
Adequate home insurance cover is essential for your green kitchen and your home. Most home insurance companies offer quick and easy home insurance quotes online. For a home insurance quote and more information about the types of home insurance available visit Direct Line Home Insurance.

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