The kitchen is undeniably one of the most loved rooms in our homes, especially around the holidays. It’s where we gather with family and friends for our favorite meals and memories. But like most of us, you probably don’t think about saving energy when you’re planning all your family’s favorite holiday dishes. Here are three ways you can save energy in the kitchen with minimal effort.

When possible, cook with smaller appliances.

Using smaller kitchen appliances, like slow cookers, toaster ovens and convection ovens is more energy efficient than using your large stove or oven. According to the Department of Energy, a toaster or convection oven uses one-third to one-half as much energy as a full-sized oven.

Help large appliances work less.

There are small ways you can help your larger kitchen appliances run more efficiently. For example, keep range-top burners clean from spills and fallen foods so they’ll reflect heat better. When it’s time to put leftovers in the refrigerator, make sure the food is covered and allow it to cool down first. That way, the fridge doesn’t have to work harder to cool warm food.

Use your dishwasher efficiently.

Only run full loads, and avoid using the “rinse hold” function on your machine for just a few dirty dishes; it uses 3–7 gallons of hot water each use. You can also save energy by letting your dishes air dry. If your dishwasher doesn’t have an automatic air-dry switch, simply turn it off after the final rinse and prop the door open so the dishes will dry faster.

By slightly adjusting a few of your habits in the kitchen, you’ll be well on your way to energy savings. Contact us to learn about additional ways you can save energy and money at home.