Place foods slightly apart on shelves, making sure they do not block the unit's interior air vents. Cover all liquids stored in the refrigerator. Moisture can be drawn into the air, making the unit work harder. Unless a recipe requires hot foods to be rapidly chilled or frozen, save energy by letting them cool at room temperature. Decide what you want before opening the door, and remove several items at once.
Oven cooking is more economical than surface cooking.
Save time and energy by using one oven to prepare the entire meal. A pie or cake can go into the oven as a main dish is removed. Warming foods, plates and platters with the oven's stored heat after baking requires no energy. These small appliances use about a third of the power of an oven broiler. Cook by time and temperature, as this eliminates repeated opening of the oven door to check on cooking progress.