Repsol YPF

A commitment and an educational measure for future generations who are growing up at home. As such, reducing pollutant emissions into the atmosphere is a must in all areas of the home and, of course, in kitchens, which can be economical and help to fulfil the Kyoto Protocol. For this reason it is important to save energy whilst we prepare good meals. To achieve this we must make the most of the hotplates, frequently opt for a pressure cooker, cover saucepans and frying pans, etc, as explained in this graphic.

According to the Institute of Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), 34% of energy used in Spanish homes is consumed by electrical appliances and of this percentage 16% is consumed by kitchen appliances, specifically 11% of electricity and natural gas consumption is used for cooking.

The truth is that with a little effort we can adopt habits which enable us to save energy, at no cost and with minimal expenditure on household items. The fundamental thing is to be aware that when cooking we can also make decisions for or against efficient energy use. 

Good habits 
Boiling, roasting, heating and frying food are everyday activities in which the important factor from an energy point of view is that they need heat. There are various ways of reducing energy consumption whilst we cook; achieving this will also reduce the electricity or gas bill at the end of the month. 

By putting a series of tips which are outlined below into practice it is possible to save almost 30% in consumption:

- Always place recipients with a base that has a diameter which is larger than the ring on the hob. That way all the heat will be used.
- It is sensible to keep frying pans, saucepans and other utensils covered at all times.
- As a rule, frozen products should be defrosted in the fridge. That way you avoid using the oven or microwave to defrost food.
- We should not open the oven door unnecessarily. Each time that it is opened at least 20% of the heat accumulated inside is lost. Furthermore, the final result is the same if the oven is switched off before the food is completely cooked: the residual heat will finish off the process.
- Wherever possible it is recommendable to use a pressure cooker, particularly if it is a fast pressure cooker, in other words, it hardly loses any steam: they require less energy and save a lot of time. In any case, thick-based pans with a heat diffuser are more efficient as they achieve a more even temperature throughout the recipient.
- If it is an electric or glass ceramic hob they can be turned off a few minutes before cooking is complete, unless it is an induction hob, in order to use the residual heat.
- It is advisable to control the hob properly. If you have to reduce the heat when the food is boiling. Gentle cooking maintains the nutritional properties and saves energy.
- Using the microwave instead of the conventional oven can imply an energy saving of between 60% and 70% and a significant time saving.
- You can make full use of the oven capacity and cook a larger amount of food at the same time.
- For roasts and cooking which lasts over an hour it is not usually necessary to pre-heat the oven.
- Stewing using gas hobs and ovens produces at least 60% less CO2 than that generated by a power station to obtain the electricity required. In this case, the gas burners should be kept clean to allow then to burn properly. 
- Food must be allowed to cool down before placing it in the fridge. 

Energy label
Before buying electrical appliances the energy label must be considered. In the kitchen, as in the rest of the home, it is recommendable to choose the most efficient appliance.