When it is hot, cook less and keep the heat outside
Cooking and baking can heat up your house, compete with air conditioning and make everyone uncomfortable. Cook less to save energy and stay cooler:
- Prepare your main course outdoors on the barbecue grill. You won’t add heat to the inside of your home.
- When a cooler day or evening rolls in, take the opportunity to cook. Prepare two or three meals at once and freeze them, so all you have to do is thaw and heat them in the microwave the next time it is too hot to cook.
- Enjoy cold meals and snacks that need no cooking, such as vegetable salads; fruit, cheese and bread; hummus or guacamole with chips or celery; sandwiches; cold soups; and smoothies.
- If you must cook, use the microwave or a covered pan on the stove. They push less heat into the kitchen than an oven.
- Choose foods that cook quickly, such as fish and vegetables. Chopping vegetables into small, evenly sized pieces speeds cooking time.
- Don’t use the microwave or oven to defrost frozen food. Instead, place it in the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight before cooking it the next day.
- Prepare food in an electric skillet, wok or slow cooker to release less heat into the air than cooking on the stove.
