Spring is definitely in the air, chasing away the winter blues.
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But the brighter weather can also reveal what we've been hiding all winter - a season of grime.
So for many it's time to think about spring cleaning.
One room which can particularly suffer during the winter is the kitchen - after all it's taken on the burden of winter comfort food cooking.
Giving the kitchen some TLC can not only leave it shiny but can make the energy bill look like less of a disaster too, as dishwashers, ovens, fridges and other appliances can work more effectively when clean and well maintained - saving money on energy. A noisy fridge, a dirty stove top, and an oven that smokes every time you bake are not the components of an ideal kitchen.
Spring is a great time to revive this important room in your home - and in doing so you could save money on your energy bills, said Origin Energy 's Anne Armansin.
"Most major appliances are expected to be operational for at least ten years, with well maintained units performing their primary function for up to twenty years. There are some really simple things households can do to ensure appliances are operating as efficiently as they should be - it's just a matter of knowing what these things are."
Here is Anne's advice for how you can help ensure kitchen appliances are operating as efficiently possible:
Fridges and freezers are the biggest energy users in most kitchens and the cost of excess energy used by faulty refrigerators can really add up.
- Adjust thermostats to maintain the temperature between 2°C and 5°C in the fridge, and between -15°C and -18°C in the freezer.
- Listen to your fridge. Manufacturers advise that refrigeration compressor units should only cycle on about 30% of the day, so if you have a fridge that sounds like it's continually running, it's time for a health check.
- Faulty door seals can allow cold air to escape your fridge or freezer cabinet and make your fridge work too hard. Check seals by placing a piece of paper between the door and the seal and then pulling on the paper. If it moves easily, you need to replace the seals.
- Ice build-up of more than 6mm in your freezer can act as an insulator, hampering the cooling process. Check regularly and defrost if necessary
- Fridges and freezers operate at peak efficiency when full, so choose one that's the right size for your needs.
- Turn the fridge off, empty, clean and leave the doors open when you are away for an extended period.
Avoid the dreaded 'dish-duty' said Anne. "Dishwashers are considered essential in many homes, particularly those with teenage children. Not only are they cheaper to use once a day than washing up by hand three times a day, they're also likely to clean each load more quietly and efficiently."
- Try and run your dishwasher at full capacity where possible. If it takes days to fill up, use the rinse cycle at least once a day which costs less than about two cents for most models.
- When empty, ensure filters are clean and free of obstructions.
- Leaky hoses may cause your kitchen to flood. Check hoses for wear and tear and have old, cracked ones replaced before they fail.
- Connect your dishwasher to cold water - it is cheaper to run than using hot water.
Switch off bench-top appliances Smaller bench top appliances like electric kettles and toasters, and some larger ones such as blenders and food processors are relatively low-energy users due to their short operational times. However, remember to turn appliances like this off at the wall when not in use and be mindful of energy use (listed on the compliance plates) when making new purchases.
Oven & cooktop
- Preheat your oven for no longer than 20 minutes. If you're using a fan forced oven, reduce energy use by cooking on multiple levels simultaneously - that's your spuds, your roast, your apple crumble, all in one! Plan ahead and cook several freezer friendly meals at once.
- Don't bake in grime - clean up fresh spills as soon as your oven has cooled. Try to keep the oven door completely closed until food is cooked. Every time the door is opened, the oven temperature drops by about 14° - 20°C .
- Replace the 50W halogen lamps in your range hood with 6W LED lamps.
- Keep your stovetop clean - spills can clog gas jets, creating an uneven flame.
- Be sure pots and pans completely cover hotplates to avoid wasting energy.
- It's best to cook with lids on pots and pans. You'll achieve better cooking results, including less evaporation, as well as reducing steam and cooking smells in the kitchen
Microwave - Keep clean and ensure inside table turns when operating (if designed to). Turn the unit off at the wall when not in use and save on standby power.
