Don't over-fill pots with water when cooking vegetables.
Limit the times the oven door is opened, as this can cause up to 15% loss of hot air each time the door is opened.
Inspect the seal around the oven. If it is damaged or perished replace it.
Turn the oven off several minutes before you remove the food and leave the door open to allow the remaining heat to enter the room.
Simmer food, never boil furiously.
Save energy when cooking vegetables by using stacking steamers, thereby using only one hotplate.
When steaming, use the minimum of water needed and keep the lid on.
Thaw foods before cooking.
Clean hotplate reflectors so that the heat is diverted upwards and works more efficiently.
Use the correct size saucepan to fit the stove plate.
Use flat bottom pots and saucepans.
Use the correct size lids on pots and saucepans.
Cook toast in a toaster, not under the grill.
Don't use your stove as a room heater.
Use an electric frypan instead of using a large oven.
Cook two or more dishes in the oven at once.
Have a baking day, or bake biscuits and cakes before and after using oven for a roast.
Use microwave ovens where possible. Microwave ovens, because of their smaller wattage and faster cooking times, use up to 70% less electricity than convectional cooking methods.
Keep your microwave clean to reduce cooking times to a minimum.
An oven rangehood that is free of grease and baked in residue will work more efficiently.
When preparing small meals use a toaster oven instead of using a large oven.
Use a jug/kettle, not the stove, to boil water. Not only will it heat water quickly, it is also 50% more efficient.
Try not to overfill your electric jug, especially if it has been designed so that it can boil one cup of water.
Fill the kettle from the cold water tap.
Hot water
Set the cylinder to 60°C, which is the minimum recommended storage temperature.
Locate the hot water cylinder near hot water taps used the most, for example bathroom and kitchen.
Insulate the pipes for the first couple of meters from the hot water system. You can get piping insulation from your local hardware store.
Shower rather than bath, as a short shower will use less water.
Wash clothes in cold water, using cold water specific laundry powders.
Never rinse dirty dishes or utensils under the running hot water tap – always wash up by plugging the sink.
Don't allow hot water to run down the sink as you wash or shave.
Avoid using small amounts of hot water if cold water will do. Each time you run the hot tap a litre or more of water that was heated goes cold.
Switch off your hot water system when on holidays or if you're going away for a week or more.
Use flow restrictors or AAA water saving shower heads.
If the hot water cylinder is outside, insulate it to cut down on heat loss.
Renew seals and washers on dripping taps. A hot water tap dripping once a second for a day can waste enough hot water for an extra person.
