• Rice cookers have a keep warm function which is for maintaining the appropriate amount of heat needed to keep the rice warm after it is cooked. You may prevent the unnecessary operation of the keep warm function by properly scheduling the cooking of rice in accordance to the eating time.
• After using your rice cooker and every time it is not in use, unplug the power cord.
• Observe proper cleaning of the rice cooker. Make sure that the inner pot and hot plate are free from any form of impurities such as burnt grains of rice or hardened food. The surface of the plate should be well cleaned and smooth to allow complete contact with the inner pot to ensure efficient and even heating.
• Choose the appropriate size of rice cooker according to your household needs. An oversized rice cooker would consume more energy than a properly sized rice cooker.
  

• Use glass pans. Glass retains heat, so you can set the oven to a lower temperature.
• Cook several dishes that require about the same temperature in the oven simultaneously. This will shorten your oven’s operating time.
• Keep preheating to a minimum.
• Refrain from looking inside a working oven too often and instead use the oven light to check on the food. Twenty percent (20%) of the heat can be lost each time you open the oven door.
• Turn the oven off before cooking is complete (up to 15 minutes, depending on the dish). The heat in the oven will continue to cook the dish until finished.
• If you need to self-clean the oven, plan to do it after cooking a meal while the oven is already hot, requiring less energy to raise the temperature.
• If available, use microwave or toaster ovens for cooking or warming leftovers. They can save up to 30% of the energy required to cook or reheat food in a regular oven.
• A microwave oven is an energy efficient alternative to a conventional oven. It cooks food faster because the energy heats only the food and not the oven compartment.
  

• Plan ahead. Prepare all ingredients before cooking to avoid frequent switching of the electric stove.
• Thaw frozen food thoroughly before cooking.
• Use flat-bottomed pots and pans as they allow faster heat transfer. They consume up to 50% less energy.
• Match pots and pans with stove element. Avoid using a big burner for a small pan to lessen heat transfer loss. This can save up to 25% of the electricity you use while cooking.
• Use the least amount of water and the smallest size of pan possible. Otherwise, you’re wasting energy to heat up excess water or excess metal.
• Cover pots and pans with lids while cooking to prevent heat from escaping.
• Turn off the electric stove during the last minutes of cooking. The remaining heat will be enough to keep the food simmering.

• Run the dishwasher when full. It requires the same amount of energy for a full load as it does for a half load.
• Use the no heat drying option.
• Don’t wash dishes twice. Although it depends upon the age of your dishwasher, most dishwashers can get your dishes clean even without rinsing them first by hand.

When shopping for a new refrigerator, choose energy efficient refrigerators. Check the yellow label attached to the refrigerator. Units that have a higher Energy Efficiency Factor are more energy efficient and cost less to operate. New refrigerator models use 30% less electricity than those built 10 years ago (before 1999).

EEF Energy Guide

• Choose the refrigerator size appropriate for your household’s needs. An 8- to 10-cubic foot ref generally holds a food capacity for two people, while an extra cubic foot should be added for each additional person in the household. If the ref is too big and you don’t keep it filled, it wastes energy and costs more to operate; if too small, you waste energy by keeping the door open while constantly rearranging and making the contents fit.
• Place refrigerators at least 4 inches away from the wall so as not to overwork the motor and to allow efficient heat release from the condenser coils.
• Don’t position your refrigerator in direct sunlight or near heat-producing appliances like the stove.
• Avoid putting in too many items in the refrigerator. Overcrowding obstructs the air circulation inside your refrigerator and reduces cooling capabilities.
• On the other hand, it is better to keep the freezer full. The more air you displace with food and beverage, the less cold air you lose when you open the freezer door.
• Allow hot food to cool to room temperature before putting them in the refrigerator. Otherwise, the refrigerator works even harder to bring the temperature down.
• Cover liquids, wrap food, and wipe off moisture from containers before putting them in the refrigerator. Uncovered food release moisture and moisture makes the compressor work harder. It may also cause excessive build up of ice in your freezer.
• Defrost regularly. When there is already ¼ inch frost build up, defrost your refrigerator. Too much frost makes your unit operate inefficiently.
• To optimize the temperature setting of your refrigerator, store the most perishable items in the coldest part of your refrigerator which is usually the back or top shelf.
• Open the refrigerator doors only when necessary.
• Don’t store paper bags or any material behind the refrigerator. They can cut airflow, making the unit work harder.
• Clean the condenser coils at least twice a year using a vacuum cleaner or broom. The coils at the back of the unit remove heat.
• Check door gaskets. Make sure refrigerator doors are sealed tightly to prevent cold air from escaping. Place a sheet of paper between the door. If you could pull it easily, it is a sign that it is not airtight and makes cold air leak.
  

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