9. Cook smart.

An enormous amount of energy is wasted while cooking. The following recommendations and statistics illustrate less wasteful ways of cooking:

• Convection ovens are more efficient that conventional ovens. They use fans to force hot air to circulate more evenly, thereby allowing food to be cooked at a lower temperature. Convection ovens use approximately 20% less electricity than conventional ovens.

• Microwave ovens consume approximately 80% less energy than conventional ovens.

• Pans should be placed on matching-size heating elements or flames.

• Using lids on pots and pans will heat food more quickly than cooking in uncovered pots and pans.

• Pressure cookers dramatically reduce cooking time.

• If you have a conventional oven, place food on the top rack, which will get hotter and will cook the food faster.