Saving money and the environment is what I’m all about right now, so I am covering how to save money on your electric bill, your water bill, and, of course, going zero waste in the kitchen.
It should come as no surprise that the kitchen uses A LOT of power. This is one of the most appliance heavy rooms in the house, and many of them stay plugged in 24/7 which is responsible for oh-so-spooky *phantom electricity*. While it’s not drawing a ton of power, it's still enough to add up on your electric bill.
Phantom electricity happens when electronic devices are plugged in but not actively working. If you have a toaster plugged in and sitting on your counter, it’s still drawing electricity from the power grid. Click for a chart that shows the yearly cost of this.
— Keep the fridge door closed — Keep it full — Turn off the ice machine — Keep your coils clean — Keep your fridge temperature on the optimum settings — Check your seal — Put cool food in the fridge
If you’re looking to save water, time and energy then your best bet is going to be the dishwasher! Here are the best practices. — Run the dishwasher FULL — Lower the temperature — Air dry your dishes — Skip the rinse — Run the dishwasher at night
Heating up your stove and oven can raise your electric bill so I’ve rounded up a few ways to avoid that! — Use a crockpot — Use a toaster oven — Use a microwave — Use the proper size pot or pan — Chop vegetables smaller
Comparing the energy use of a drip coffee pot, a microwave, a keurig, a mini-drip coffee pot, a kettle, and an espresso maker, the least wasteful way of brewing coffee is a french press. It is also the least energy intensive! A french press is one of my favorite zero-waste swaps.