.1).jpg)
As the old saying goes: "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen" — and in the summertime, your cooking space can feel like an open flame, making trips to your local restaurant seem like a better, more refreshing option than preparing a meal at home. In fact, traditional stoves and ovens can raise the temperature in your kitchen to new heights, causing you to crank up the air conditioner and use much more energy than your unit should in a single day!
If you're looking to cut back on dining out, in addition to reducing your energy consumption, here are some simple tips that will help keep your kitchen as cool as can be.
Morning Meals are Best
Cook your meals in the morning before the brunt of the heat hits, and choose meals that can either be reheated in the microwave or simply served cold. Pasta salads, chicken, and fish are great dishes that are able to be prepared in the early hours of the day and can be enjoyed at night with minimal heat and hassle.
Limit the Lights
When you cook, do you tend to turn on all the lights in your kitchen? While it might seem necessary to do so, it’s actually more convenient to use a few lights at a time. Believe it or not, lights emit more heat than you think — and when you combine that with cooking, your kitchen’s temperature will soar.
Just remember: the fewer the lights, the better — but make sure that your cutting board and stove are well-illuminated (since it could be rather dangerous if those areas are dim).
Take the Cooking Outdoors
Summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill and do your cooking outside! Doing this will prevent the temperature from rising indoors and will be the perfect excuse to have a few guests over for dinner! Of course, you can always dine outside, too — but if it's too hot, then it's best to retire inside to enjoy your meal!
Close the Blinds
Direct sunlight heats your house and causes the temperature to rise even when you have the air conditioner running all day. When you're out, make sure you draw the curtains and lower your blinds. This will allow you to adjust your thermostat and raise it at least 10 to 15 degrees higher, keeping your house cool without having to use your HVAC system's full power while you're away.
