Water, waste and energy
How to prepare for planning:
Water, waste and energy
Water, waste and energy
40% of most households’ energy consumption takes place in the kitchen. It’s also where we boil water, wash veggies and scrub dishes. Lowering the use of water and energy is a sure way to update your kitchen. And cutting down on waste is good for the planet, your wallet and – if you compost – your garden!
Use induction hobs
Induction hobs are much faster and more energy-efficient than traditional cast iron and glass ceramic hobs. Only the pots and pans are heated and not the hob itself, so very little heat goes to waste. Especially if you keep the lid on and use right size pot.An example: If you use an induction hob when cooking, you’ll save up to 40% on energy compared to a traditional hob. And when it comes to speed, an induction hob can boil 2 litres of water in just 5 minutes, compared to as much as 10 minutes with a glass ceramic or gas hob.
Keep the lid on
Cooking in pots with lid on saves around 30 percent energy compared to not using a lid. An even better, more energy-saving way of bringing water to boil, is to use an electric kettle – even if its intended for the potatoes on the stove.Use right size pots and pans
Make sure to use pots and pans that fit the zones of your cooktop. Pots that are too small lead to heat leaks that easily increases energy consumption by as much as 20%.Use energy-efficient kitchen lighting
SPARSAM low energy bulbs are a great alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs. They last up to ten times longer and the energy consumption is reduced by up to 80% over the bulb’s lifetime. One 20-watt bulb provides as much light as a 100-watt incandescent bulb, without getting anywhere near as hot. Also, IKEA customers can return low energy bulbs to most IKEA stores for recycling.
Using water-saving taps
Change your existing tap with an IKEA tap and you’ll get an inbuilt water-saving function that reduces water consumption with more than 30%.Don’t do your dishes by hand
Doing dishes by hand and rinsing them under running water requires seven times as much water as if you had them scraped off and turn on your dishwasher once it’s full.
Cutting down on waste in the kitchen isn’t just about recycling your trash. It’s also about the food you cook. Starting a compost means your food scraps don’t go to waste – they pass on nutrients to your garden. And instead of throwing out the rest of dinner, why not pack it in one of our food savers and enjoy a homemade lunch at work? It’s better for the environment and tastes a lot better too!
Make recycling easier
RATIONELL is a simple waste system that helps organize and recycle household waste, more effectively. Easy-to-clean bins are available in a variety of sizes and are designed for different types of household waste - from glass bottles and newspapers to food scraps and batteries.Don't throw away food
Did you know that up to a quarter of all food is thrown away every day in many households? That’s not only a waste of money; food production generates lots of CO², so cutting waste helps reduce our carbon footprint. IKEA food savers help take better care of fresh food and leftovers. Some products have benefits making them especially good for saving your food and using just the right amount of food to prevent waste when cooking. For example, some sizes in the IKEA 365+ food storage series come with a removable plastic bottom grid to allow excess moisture to drain off and help food last longer. And in the RARITET series the jar for dry storage has a measuring cup in the lid to make getting it right easier. The jar itself is transparent and graduated so you can see how much is left.Ideas for your dream kitchens
From lighting to tips for saving energy - explore our kitchens and get ideas for yours
