Angie's List

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Is your kitchen likely to get a workout this holiday season? Whether it's cooking turkeys or baking cookies, it's one place that uses lots of energy.

In this weeks Angie's List Report, Jim Donovan explains, it's also an area in your house that could be wasting your money.

That's right. You could be burning up cash if you're appliances aren't running efficiently.

But there are a few things you can do to make sure you're getting the most out of them.

Appliances account for about 20 percent of energy use in your home and your refrigerator uses the most.

"So keeping it in good condition is important. An easy test you can do is to see if the seal around the door is in good shape. Take a piece paper, stick it in the door, shut it and if it stays pretty firm in the door - then your seal is fine, if it comes out too easily, you should consider replacing that seal," said Angie's List founder, Angie Hicks.

You can improve your oven's output too, with a good cleaning. The more burned-on food you have, the harder it is for your oven to direct its heat to the cookware. And if your'e treating yourself to new appliances this holiday season but don't want to overspend, shop smart.

"There are a lot of options available on appliances but you might not need the in-door ice dispenser for example, or the tv that can come in some refrigerators. Have a clear understanding of what you are looking for and then look for energy efficiency," said Hicks.

Angie's Advice on Kitchen Appliances:

Before you stock your fridge with holiday leftovers, make sure the seal on the door is tight. This is an easy test, close the door on a thin sheet of paper and if the paper slips, your fridge is wasting energy - replace the seal or adjust the door latch. Another simple task vacuum vents and coils to keep the compressor running efficiently. You'll find these located on the bottom of the fridge, or in the back on older models.

If you don't use or maintain or use your oven regularly, you could be setting yourself up for big problems come Thanksgiving. A recent Angie's List poll found 83 percent of respondents report using their oven once a week or less throughout the year and 95 percent report never having their oven serviced. One Angie's List member's oven stopped working on Thanksgiving and she had to take the turkey to her mother's house to finish cooking.

Don't wait until Thanksgiving Day to find out your oven is not working properly. Have your oven calibrated a few weeks before to ensure that you are baking at proper temperature. A good way to check this is to buy a basic cake mix and follow the directions exactly, cooking for the exact time recommended. If the cake is dry or undercooked, the temperature might be off. Do this test well before the holidays. If you do find a problem with a heating element, replace it immediately. In most cases, a bake or broil heating element can be replaced quickly without having to pull the oven away from the wall.

When you're shopping for appliances, think of two price tags. The first covers the purchase price. The second is the cost of operating the appliance during its lifetime. You'll be paying on that second price tag every month with your utility bill for the next 10 to 15 years, depending on the appliance.

Side by side refrigerator/freezers use 7-10 percent more energy than refrigerators with freezers on the top or bottom. Features like icemakers and water dispensers, while convenient, will increase energy use. To help you figure out whether an appliance is energy efficient, the federal government requires most appliances to display the bright yellow and black Energy Guide label. These labels will not only tell you which appliance is most efficient, but they will tell you the annual energy consumption and operating cost for each appliance so you can compare yourself.

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