First, it’s a good idea to map out your own needs and habits. The size and features of suitable machines depend on the space available, the size of the family and how much you cook and bake at home.
It is important to take energy efficiency into account. It is easy to compare the energy consumption of household appliances according to their energy classification. Class AC machines are sold in Finland. Refrigeration appliances also use grades and even A However, even an energy-efficient device does not guarantee the best result if the adjustments and operating habits are not correct.
Check that the necessary electrical, water and drain connections are available for each appliance. Also remember that refrigeration appliances, the stove and the washing machine may only be installed by a professional.
Refrigeration equipment
When choosing a refrigeration appliance, the size of the economy determines how much food you store at a time, how often you go to the store, how much and what size packs you buy, and whether you put food or bake a lot for multiple uses at once. Refrigerator volumes range from about one hundred liters to nearly 400 liters. Cooling the empty space is a waste of consumption, so a large size is not always the best choice.
Measure exactly what size appliance will fit in your kitchen. Do not place the refrigerator near an oven, radiator, stove, dishwasher or other heat generating appliance.
There must be air circulation around the device in accordance with the operating instructions.
Built-in appliances that use furniture consume more electricity than freely placed appliances. They usually have a thinner layer of insulation than a regular machine. The device to be integrated needs a special cabinet in which air circulation is taken into account.
Choose only energy-efficient appliances. Refrigeration appliances marked A +++ are at least 58% more energy efficient than Class A appliances.
Electronic temperature control technology and a clear temperature display help select and monitor energy-efficient storage temperatures.
The right internal temperatures of refrigeration equipment ensure food preservation and low food loss, and energy is not wasted.
When the refrigerator and freezer have their own separate temperature selectors, the temperatures are not interdependent, but can be adjusted to suit your needs.
Warning lights and sounds increase operational safety and make it easier to monitor temperatures.
With the freezing function, the freezer compressor runs non-stop and cools the freezer at maximum capacity. The automatic freezing function makes it easier and saves energy, as the freezing connection is not accidentally forgotten on. With automatic adjustment, the freezing function is switched off after power freezing and the appliance continues with normal operation.
There are plenty of fridge-freezer combination options. Read a good presentation on refrigeration equipment .
Stove
Of the stoves, the induction hob is the most energy efficient. It is also fast and safe because the cooking zone does not heat up at all, but the cookware reacts magnetically. The induction hob is easy to keep clean, as splashes do not burn onto the hob surface.
Not all cookware, such as glass, aluminum, and some steel cookware, is suitable for an induction hob. Its surface is quite delicate, as even a slightly broken surface makes the stove unusable.
The second most energy efficient is the ceramic hob, which can be used with ordinary cookware.
The biggest energy burn is a traditional cast iron stove.
Heating the same amount of water in an induction cooking zone consumes 30% less electricity than a cast iron plate and 20% less than in a ceramic cooking zone.
It is safest to choose a stove with a timer. It switches off the hob after the deadline.
In the furniture hob, the hob and the oven overlap and are controlled from the same control panel.
Today, a stove with a cooker hood can be placed on a separate island in the middle of the kitchen. Then the oven can also be placed higher, for example in the middle of the cabinets. This avoids bending, but care must be taken to avoid the heat of the oven when opening the door.
Oven
A convection oven is more energy efficient than an upper and lower heating oven. A cooking temperature 20 ° C lower than the upper and lower heat is sufficient. In a convection oven, several baking trays can be baked at once.
Preheating the oven consumes a lot of energy, so prepare several batches of food in a row in the oven.
Be sure to take advantage of the oven’s residual heat.
Cooker hood or hood
The construction technology dictates the choice of cooker hood. A detached cooker hood that requires a flue connection can be installed in a detached house. If this connection is not available, a cooker hood with an activated carbon filter must be selected.
A cooker hood is installed in a terraced or block of flats equipped with a top extractor. Before installing the hood, check the connection power of the top extractor.
Microwave
When purchasing a microwave oven, it is important to have adequate air circulation around the appliance, especially above. Inadequate ventilation reduces cooling and shortens the life of the appliance.
See the appliance instructions for how much space should be left above the microwave. Generally, if the appliance does not have its own air conditioning grille, there must be a space of at least 50 mm behind and above it.
In the placement of a microwave oven, especially in a small kitchen, embedding in furniture is a viable solution.
The size of the microwave is affected by what features you need. If you only heat the dose at a time, a small one is enough. If you are preparing dishes in large bowls, you will need a larger one.
The characteristics of microwaves vary, but it is a good idea to have at least a defrosting and heating option. The latest micros are almost like an oven. They can be used for grilling, baking and steaming ─ often more efficiently than in a large oven.
If you choose a versatile model, be sure to read the operating instructions carefully. This is how you get the most out of your oven.
Dishwasher
First, accurately measure the location. Dishwashers are available in widths from 45 to 60 cm. The wider the machine, the larger the containers can fit there. On the other hand, a bigger machine also tends to consume more energy. The size of the economy and lifestyles influence the choice. If food is not done at home often, a large machine is useless.
When measuring the space required by the air circulation, remember.
Choose an energy-efficient Class A device. Although economical models are often more expensive, they save energy and water.
Compare the lengths and contents of the washing programs. It is a good idea to have at least two programs of different lengths in the machine, a saving program for a cleaner and a longer program for greasy dishes.
Make sure the dishwasher runs loudly. A loud dishwasher may limit the use of affordable night electricity.
When purchasing any home appliance, remember that electricity and heat produced from renewable energy are a great way to reduce your household’s CO2 emissions.
