Understand how temperature adjustments, maintenance and sustainable choices can reduce the energy consumption of your appliances and generate savings.

It is common to look for ways to reduce electricity consumption at home, both for reasons of concern for the environment and to save money.

Essential appliances, such as stoves and refrigerators, are a major contributor to your electricity bill. But did you know that small changes to your habits can result in significant savings at the end of the month? These practices also help extend the lifespan of your appliances.

Below are some practical tips on how to save energy when using your appliances. Even if you have a 5 burner stove electric or a powerful refrigerator, it is still possible to spend less without compromising quality and performance.

Optimizing stove usage and simple efficiency adjustments

Generally, the stove is the appliance that consumes the most energy in the home. In gas models, although electricity consumption is lower, the burning of the gas generates heat, which can be used more efficiently.

To save money, the first tip is to use pans that are the right size for the burners on your stove. When you use a pan that is larger than the burner, the heat is not distributed well, which ends up wasting energy. Also, whenever possible, cover your pans while you cook. This helps to keep the heat inside and prevents the cooking time from being extended, making the stove work more than necessary.

Another important tip is to take advantage of the residual heat from the stove. Turn off the heat a few minutes before finishing cooking and leave the pans on the stove to finish cooking with the heat that is already there. This helps save energy without compromising the flavor of the dish.

Refrigerator care

The refrigerator is always working to keep food cool or frozen, but it is important to take some precautions to save energy. The first step is to adjust the temperature to the ideal levels: it should be between 3°C and 5°C, and the freezer at -18°C. This will ensure that the refrigerator operates efficiently, without wasting energy unnecessarily to cool more than necessary.

Another essential precaution is to avoid leaving the door open for too long. This increases energy consumption and can shorten the lifespan of the appliance.

Furthermore, it is important not to put hot food in the refrigerator. This makes the appliance have to work harder to cool it down, which also consumes more energy. And lastly, take good care of the door seals. They are responsible for sealing the space, and if they are damaged, they can allow cold air to escape, forcing the motor to work harder.

Conscious use of microwaves

The microwave is very practical, isn't it? Its use can also be optimized to reduce energy consumption! One of the simplest tips is to avoid heating large portions of food, as this consumes more energy. So, whenever possible, choose to divide the portions into smaller units and heat one at a time.

Maintenance of household appliances

Regular maintenance of your appliances not only increases their durability, but also contributes to more efficient energy consumption. Here are some tips:

• Stove: Check gas nozzles and ignition valves regularly to ensure they are clean and working properly. Dirt on the nozzles can reduce the efficiency of the fire and increase gas consumption;
• refrigerator: in addition to cleaning the coils, check the door seal. If it is damaged, cold air can escape, causing the motor to work harder and consume more energy;
• Microwaves and electric ovens: check that the drawers and trays are in good condition. Damaged components can cause the appliance to consume more energy.

Sustainable choices when purchasing new appliances

When it's time to replace an appliance, it's worth choosing models that have an energy-saving seal. Nowadays, it's easy to find refrigerators, stoves, microwaves and other appliances that consume less energy and have modern technologies to optimize the use of resources.