You might not realize how much energy is used every day in your kitchen until you look at your electric bill. Luckily, there are several ways to make your kitchen more environmentally friendly.
Energy Efficiency
Replace your refrigerator, dishwasher, and oven with energy-efficient appliances Rockville MD. Install a sink that has a motion sensor to turn the water off when not in use. Switch all your lights with LED lightbulbs controlled by a dimmer switch. Unlike other lightbulbs, LED lightbulbs only use up to 90% less energy and last much longer than traditional lightbulbs. They are currently the most eco-friendly bulbs on the market.
Reusable Items
Get rid of single-use products and try converting them to reusable items. While some plastics might be unavoidable, you can choose to use a refillable water bottle and switch out your plastic containers for glass. Beeswax paper is a great alternative to plastic wrap and plastic bags. Not only is beeswax paper reusable but it also has antimicrobial properties to help keep food fresh. If you drink coffee every day, consider converting to reusable coffee filters instead of disposable paper filters. You don’t have to switch everything at once. Start by replacing one item at a time with a more sustainable alternative.
Freeze and Preserve
Instead of throwing away food as it begins to go bad, consider freezing it to preserve its freshness. Fresh herbs and fruits and be frozen and kept for later use. Berries and bananas make for great additions to smoothies. If your bananas get too brown, you can still freeze them and save them to make banana bread. To freeze your herbs, simply chop them up and place them in ice cube trays filled with organic extra-virgin olive oil. All you need to do is melt the cube in a hot skillet when you’re ready to use it.
While some changes may come along with minor investments, converting to an eco-friendly, energy-efficient kitchen will save you money in the long run.
