Save Money and Lower Energy Use in the Kitchen with These Tips!

We spend a lot of time in our kitchens but that doesn't mean we should be spending more money or using more energy! At Bayes, we value the health of your home and the earth, which is why we developed a line of organic cleaning products at an affordable price with ingredients you can trust. But we know it doesn't stop there.

The truth is, everyday kitchen tasks may be causing you to use unnecessary amounts of energy and causing your household to have a higher power bill, not to mention sucking valuable energy away from you that would be better spent on things that you enjoy! But by taking a few precautions and following a few steps, you can help save energy and money in the kitchen.

Save Energy while cooking: There are several simple ways to save energy every month in your kitchen by simply changing a few cooking habits and techniques. One easy tip is to always cover your pots and pans when cooking, preventing heat from escaping. This also cuts down on the amount of time you will be using the stove. Another great tip is to turn off the stove just before your food is ready, letting the heat that is already in the pan continue to cook for the last few minutes. The pan will stay hot for some time even though the stove has been turned off, resulting in a simple energy saver.

Purchase energy efficient appliances: Another tip to save energy in the kitchen is to find very energy efficient dishwashers or refrigerators when it’s time for a replacement. Refrigerator models that have moisture control are very helpful for saving a large amount of money on your electricity bill.

Set the faucet to cold water: A good habit to be in is to keep your faucet running cold water at all times when hot water is not needed. If you don’t need too much water for a quick clean or for any other small uses, stick to using cold water. Even if you turn the hot water on for a few seconds, energy is still being used to heat the water.

Tend to your refrigerator's seal and temperature: Many refrigerators are set to a colder temperature than is really necessary. This can lead to excessive amounts of energy being wasted. The ideal temperature to set your refrigerator to is between 37 and 40 degrees, and your freezer should be kept at around 0 degrees. If you keep your freezer packed, many times it may not be shut as airtight as it could be otherwise. It is always best to pack your refrigerator or freezer with a little bit of extra space instead of packing it tight to make sure it can be shut all the way.

Plan ahead: Here's a tip to save your sanity. If you are going to be making a pasta dinner or a casserole, why not make a large amount and refrigerate or freeze the extra portions? This way, you are getting most bang for your buck by running your oven. Also, for lunch the next day you can reheat the dinner in the microwave instead of cooking something new in your oven or on your stove.

Invest well: Be sure you always stock your kitchen with quality products and avoid the cheap stuff. Just like with Bayes organic cleaning supplies, you know your kitchen will not only be cleaned, but also maintained and preserved. When investing in home cleaning products, always make sure they are adding to the life of your home - not just meeting a short term need!

Knowing these helpful tips is a great way to not only conserve energy but also save a little bit of money when it comes to your bills. Bayes knows the importance of keeping a clean, green kitchen. We hope to find ourselves in your kitchen soon!

Don't Miss This! Quick Money Saving Tips to a Greener Kitchen!

We all love being in the kitchen, mainly because that's where the food is! But did you know that the kitchen is one of the easiest rooms in the house to 'go green' and save money? If you've been wanting to have a more energy efficient and earth friendly home, the kitchen is a great place to start! 

One of the reasons that it's so easy to make an impactful difference on the overall energy-efficiency of your kitchen is that some of your home's largest appliances are located there. Here are a few quick tips to help you know you're getting the most out your kitchen appliances and being earth conscious in the process!

Dishwasher: 
First, make sure that you only run the dishwasher when it's full. If you've only got one plate or a few forks in there, it's most likely going to save more water to wash those by hand. Secondly, don't pre-rinse your dishes in the sink. This step was necessary in the past but most modern dishwashers are powerful enough that they can remove food residue without pre-rinsing, so skipping this step will save you a lot of water and energy (not to mention time!).

Refrigerator:
Even if you went out of the way to purchase an energy-efficient fridge, you might be sabotaging your decision by not using it properly. One common mistake is setting the temperature too low. You can check your owner's manual to determine the optimal temperature range (usually around 36°-38°F), but if you notice that some of your food is super cold or even frozen, you should turn your temp down a bit or reserve those "cold zones" for more spoilage-prone foods. Remember that for every degree below 38°F, your unit consumes 5% more energy; so if you have it set to 36°F now and it's too cold, consider raising it a few degrees. Another easy tip is to use glass tupperware. Glass is not only more long-lasting than plastic or foil, but it also provides a better insulating barrier that keeps food and beverages colder.

Compost:
One of the best ways you can transform your edible waste into valuable soil is by composting it. Composting does take some time and patience but there are many products out there to simplify the process. If you're planning to compost indoors, try an odor-minimizing, compact composter. Once you have the hang of it, you may even be able to use the resulting nutrient-rich soil to grow your own food, which will help make your kitchen and cooking even greener.

Green Cleaners:
Using organic and biodegradable cleaning supplies in the kitchen keeps our water sources clean and our health as well. We are in the kitchen so often. It's important that we avoid chemicals in general, but especially where we are preparing our food. That's why at Bayes, we've developed a line of organic cleaning supplies - including our granite counter top cleaner. You have the benefit of clean granite counter tops as well as knowing your family won't get any chemicals on those freshly chopped apple slices!  For bigger messes, you can always use the simplicity of baking soda and white vinegar!

There are always great and easy options when wanting to have a greener and affordable kitchen and home. Bayes wants to help you live clean and healthy in every way we can. Please visit us today for more information!