We waste a lot of money on our daily appliances without even knowing it. Here are some simple tips to help with you consumption.

1. Your fridge works better where there isn't a clutter of stuff in it. Check the expiry dates and get rid of the stuff no longer usable. Because a fridge needs a fan to work, the fan can only move air around and cool things down if there is room for air movement.

2. Your freezer is the opposite. The more that is in your freezer the more efficient it will run. Freezers don't use a fan, but rather cools down the air in the freezer with coolants. By opening your freezer warm air comes in and the cool air excapes. Make sure the seal is good on the freezer and that it is full. The fullness doesn't need to be food. Plastic containers can be stored in there.

3. When you cook with your oven think about cooking with the racks full. Your oven was designed to cook more than one dish at a time. ( think of its space!) Why not cook tonights chicken, tomorrows meatballs , baked potatoes and a cake for desert all at the same time?

4. Think about putting your stereo, computer and TV ( DVD, VHS)on a power bar. When not in use turn the power bar off. What most people do not know is that electricity runs through these appliances all the time. You are using power while you sleep.

5. Turn your hot water tank temperature down. The tank companies have it set at a high temperature so you spending more to keep the water warm at too hot a temperature.

6. Those new floresent light bulbs should be changed with gloves on or with a rag. The oil on your hands will lessen the life span of these bulbs by about 2 years if oil gets on them.

Neleh

I like the idea of cooking more than one dinner in the oven at a time. That would definitely save!

I like the idea of cooking more than one dish in the oven as well, but I hestitate 'cause what if the needed temp and length of time is different?? I can't tell you how many times I have cooked dinner and then waited for that to be done to then put the brownies in to cook ( I thought I was ahead of the game by cooking those while the oven was already heated up?)?? Is there a trick I am missing?

I started prepping my week on Sundays. I really got the idea from one of the shows on the Food Network. And if I cook in advance, I freeze my husband's lunches and he just takes what he wants to eat each day. I also fix my lunches at the same time and have them all divided out for each day.

I make my menus a month at a time. Its always a pasta dish on Monday's and soup for Thursdays.

I highlight with highliters what is chicken, pork, beef, each its own colours. When I cook chicken I check to see how many dinners need precooked chicken. I also make turkey loafs, meat loafs and meatballs, and cook them all the same time in the oven, then freeze. That way I have a few dinners ready at the same time, used my energy only once and cooked in the oven all at the same time.

Neleh

This is a good idea. I need to really start working on menus that last more than a couple days at a time. I should give this a try.

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I Agree It Saves On The Electric Bill. I Too, Cook More Than One Entree In The Oven At A Time.