Here are ways to save energy on your stove, electric range & microwave cooking (sorry, eating-out more often doesn’t count). These money-saving ideas can help you lower your energy bill by reducing energy consumption in your house or apartment.

You can also help to reduce the demand of electricity at peak electrical demand times – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. These energy saving tips below may help cut down on the amount of energy you use and trim your household energy costs, while lowering peak demand on your electricity utility company.

Stove, Electric Range & Microwave Cooking
* Use microwaves and toaster ovens when cooking instead of your oven and gas range.
* If you do use your stove, defrost food first and cover pots to shorten cooking time.
* Keep your oven & range clean. An oven or range that’s free of grease and baked-on residue uses energy more efficiently.
* Don’t pre-heat (sorry Martha Stewart) if you don’t have to. If you’re baking breads and cakes, pre-heating your oven may be necessary. But for most foods, like casseroles and broiled items, pre-heating simply isn’t necessary.