Winter means cooking long and slow and turning up the heater. Here are some tips to help keep your power bill under control, and be kinder to the environment.
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If you're heating up the oven to make a roast or casserole, try and fill it up: make a double batch, or roast veges at the same time. This will make the most of the energy you're using.
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Another way to make the most of otherwise 'lost' cooking heat is to use the residual heat – after you've turned the oven off – to slow roast veges like tomatoes and capsicums. Save them in the fridge and use in pastas and salads.
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Remember to put the lids on your pots when you're heating water for pasta and vegetables, so it comes to the boil quicker.
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Cook rice by the absorption method rather than rapidly boiling it; you'll use less energy.
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Make use of low-energy appliances like crockpots and microwaves. Microwaves use 30-40% less power for heating than conventional electric ovens.
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Keep your fridge cool; fridges and freezers work best in cooler areas of your house, e.g. on the south side and not when right next to the oven, a heater or a sunny window. Keeping the coils at the back well ventilated and free of dust will help efficiency, too.
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