Energy-Saving Tips for Your Kitchen Appliances

Your kitchen appliances account for a significant portion of your home's energy consumption. The refrigerator alone can use 10-15% of your household electricity. With Georgia Power rates climbing, smart appliance habits can save hundreds of dollars annually—without sacrificing convenience.

Here's how to maximize efficiency from every kitchen appliance.

Refrigerator Energy Savings

Your refrigerator runs 24/7, making it the most important appliance to optimize.

Set the Right Temperature

Many people set their refrigerator too cold, wasting energy:

• Refrigerator: 37-40°F (use a thermometer to verify)
• Freezer: 0°F

Every degree colder increases energy consumption by 2-3%. There's no benefit to running colder than these temperatures.

Clean the Condenser Coils

Dusty condenser coils can increase energy consumption by 30% or more:

How often: Every 6-12 months (more often with pets)

How to clean:

1. Unplug the refrigerator
2. Locate coils (behind kick plate at bottom or on back)
3. Vacuum with brush attachment
4. Remove stubborn debris with a coil brush

This 15-minute task can save $50-100 annually.

Check Door Seals

Worn gaskets let cold air escape, forcing the compressor to run overtime:

The dollar test: Close the door on a dollar bill. You should feel resistance when pulling it out. Test multiple spots around both doors.

Fix worn seals: Clean with warm soapy water first. If they're cracked or loose, replacement gaskets cost $50-150 and install easily.

Keep It Full (But Not Packed)

A well-stocked refrigerator retains cold better than an empty one—the thermal mass of food helps maintain temperature when you open the door.

Tips:

• Fill empty space with water jugs
• Don't overpack to the point of blocking air circulation
• Leave space around vents

Position Matters

Location affects efficiency:

• Keep away from heat sources (oven, dishwasher, sunny windows)
• Maintain 2-3 inches of clearance on sides and back for airflow
• Level the unit so doors close properly

Let Hot Food Cool First

Putting hot food directly in the refrigerator:

• Raises interior temperature
• Forces the compressor to work harder
• Can warm nearby items into the food safety danger zone

Let food cool to room temperature first (but don't leave it out more than 2 hours).

Dishwasher Efficiency

Modern dishwashers are more water and energy-efficient than hand washing—when used properly.

Skip the Pre-Rinse

Modern dishwashers are designed to handle food particles:

• Scrape (don't rinse) dishes before loading
• Pre-rinsing wastes 6,000+ gallons of water annually
• Detergents need some food particles to work effectively

Use the Right Cycle

Match the cycle to the load:

• Light wash: Lightly soiled dishes, glasses
• Normal: Everyday dishes with moderate soil
• Heavy/Pots & Pans: Only when necessary—uses significantly more water and energy
• Eco mode: Longer cycle time but less energy and water

Run Full Loads Only

Dishwashers use the same amount of water regardless of load size:

• Wait until you have a full load
• Don't overload (reduces cleaning effectiveness)
• Adjust rack configuration for optimal capacity

Use the Air Dry Option

Heated drying uses significant electricity:

• Select "air dry" or "no heat dry"
• Or open the door after the final rinse and let dishes air dry
• Energy savings: 15-50% per cycle

Clean the Filter Monthly

A clogged filter reduces efficiency and forces longer cycles:

1. Remove the filter (usually in the bottom center)
2. Rinse under running water
3. Use a soft brush for stubborn debris
4. Replace and ensure proper seating

Oven and Range Efficiency

Cooking appliances are intermittent users but draw significant power when operating.

Use the Right Burner Size

On electric or gas cooktops:

• Match pot size to burner size
• A small pot on a large burner wastes 40% of the energy
• Use flat-bottomed cookware for efficient heat transfer

Keep the Oven Door Closed

Every time you open the oven door:

• Temperature drops 25-75°F
• Heating element or burner cycles on to recover
• Cooking time extends

Use the oven light and window to check progress instead.

Use Convection Mode

If your oven has convection:

• Reduces cooking time by 25%
• Reduces temperature requirement by 25°F
• More even cooking with less energy

Size Your Oven to the Task

• Use a toaster oven for small items (uses 50% less energy)
• Use a microwave for reheating (fastest and most efficient)
• Save the full oven for large meals

Don't Preheat Longer Than Necessary

Most ovens preheat in 10-15 minutes:

• Don't start preheating before you're ready to cook
• Many roasted and baked items don't require preheating at all

Self-Cleaning Strategy

If you use the self-clean feature:

• Run it right after regular cooking (oven is already hot)
• Clean only when necessary (not monthly)
• Consider manual cleaning for light soil

Freezer Efficiency

Maintain Proper Temperature

Set your freezer to 0°F—colder wastes energy without improving food preservation.

Keep It Full

A full freezer is more efficient:

• Frozen items help maintain temperature
• Fill empty space with ice or water containers
• Less temperature swing when opening the door

Defrost Manual-Defrost Models

Ice buildup reduces efficiency:

• Defrost when ice reaches 1/4 inch thickness
• A heavily frosted freezer works 30% harder

Check Door Seals

Same dollar test as the refrigerator:

• Test monthly
• Replace worn gaskets promptly

Small Appliance Efficiency

Unplug When Not in Use

"Vampire" power from idle appliances adds up:

• Coffee makers with clocks
• Toaster ovens with digital displays
• Microwave standby power

Use a power strip to easily cut power to multiple appliances.

Match Appliance to Task

• Microwave for reheating (most efficient)
• Toaster oven for small baking
• Electric kettle for boiling water (faster and more efficient than stovetop)
• Slow cooker for long cooking (uses less energy than oven)

Water Heater Considerations

Your kitchen's hot water comes from your water heater, affecting appliance efficiency:

Set Temperature to 120°F

Higher temperatures waste energy and aren't necessary for dishwashing (modern dishwashers heat water internally).

Insulate Hot Water Pipes

Reduces heat loss during travel from heater to kitchen.

Use Cold Water When Possible

For garbage disposals and quick rinses, cold water works fine.

Measuring Your Savings

Track your progress:

• Compare Georgia Power bills year-over-year
• Note monthly kWh usage
• Consider a whole-home energy monitor
• Calculate savings from specific changes

When Efficiency Repairs Pay Off

Sometimes appliance repairs improve efficiency enough to pay for themselves:

• Refrigerator coil cleaning: Often free (DIY) with immediate savings
• Door gasket replacement: $50-150 with payback in 6-12 months
• Thermostat calibration: Included in service calls
• Older appliance replacement: New refrigerators use 40-50% less energy than 15-year-old models

Energy-Efficient Appliance Service

At Appliance Dean, we not only repair appliances—we optimize them. Our technicians can:

• Clean condenser coils professionally
• Check and calibrate thermostats
• Replace worn door seals
• Identify inefficient operation
• Advise on repair vs. replace decisions

Serving Metro Atlanta homeowners in Alpharetta, Marietta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Kennesaw, and surrounding areas.

Call (404) 671-9117 or schedule service online to improve your appliance efficiency.