The four primary components for creating an efficient kitchen are design, appliance selection and usage, and general efficiency habits. If you are not going to completely remodel a kitchen, you can still incorporate some of the same concepts to help manage energy use. The most accepted kitchen design utilizes the concept of a “kitchen triangle.” The [...]

The four primary components for creating an efficient kitchen are design, appliance selection and usage, and general efficiency habits. If you are not going to completely remodel a kitchen, you can still incorporate some of the same concepts to help manage energy use.

The most accepted kitchen design utilizes the concept of a “kitchen triangle.” The goal is to have not more than
8 feet between the center of any two of the range, refrigerator and sink.

These appliances should also be located in a fairly even triangle for the most convenient use. Increased convenience results in less time in the kitchen, less lighting, and less hot water running down the drain. Also consider the traffic patterns through your kitchen so you are not trying to dodge children as you are cooking or cleaning. Shoot for 15 inches of free work space around appliances.

The range, whether gas or electric, can be located almost anywhere to create the desired kitchen triangle. If you use natural ventilation from windows during summer, avoid locating the range near a window. A breeze from the window can carry away heat from whatever you are cooking. This increases cooking times and wastes energy.

Locate cabinets on outside walls if possible to create an additional thermal buffer from a cold wall.

After you decide on the layout, select energy-efficient major appliances. The refrigerator is most important because it operates 24 hours a day. All refrigerators have an energy label showing the amount of electricity they use.

Although a side-by-side refrigerator may be the most convenient to use, it is the least efficient design because of the extra door gasket length. Models with the freezer on the bottom are the most efficient, with top-freezer models not far behind. Also, smaller is better than larger, so give some thought to how many cubic feet your family actually needs.

Depending on the size of your family and how many loads of dishes you do, the dishwasher can be a significant energy consumer. Select a model that has its own preheater so you can set the main water heater tank thermostat lower. Designs that have two small internal pumps instead of one generally consume less water. Dishwasher energy labels have two operating cost figures – one for gas and one for an electric water heater.

There are no energy labels on ranges to guide your decision. There are some differences in the cooktop element technologies that affect how fast they heat a pot of water and the precision of temperature control. Induction elements provide the most precise temperature control on an electric range. Select an oven with a convection option, which circulates air to reduce roasting and baking times.

Once you have your appliances and your kitchen is complete, use them in an efficient manner. Check temperatures in the refrigerator and freezer portions. They should be about 40 degrees and 0 degrees, respectively. If they are colder, it wastes electricity and if they are warmer, foods don’t stay fresh. Switch off the condensation-reducing door seal heating elements.

Use your dishwasher only for full loads. If it has an automatic sensor to determine the best wash cycle, use it. For just a few dishes, wash them by hand. During winter, leave the hot soapy water in the sink until it cools. Cover pots when you are boiling water and use small countertop ovens and appliances instead of the range oven whenever possible.

Send inquiries to James Dulley, Michigan Country Lines, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.