You spend a lot of time in your kitchen, whether you’re prepping for dinner or eating breakfast over the morning paper – but how much energy is your kitchen wasting on a daily basis? Probably more than you realize.

To help, we’ve broken down your kitchen to maximize energy efficiency in all areas. What other tips do you have?

Refrigerator: If you upgrade your refrigerator, freezer or dishwasher, opt for an Energy Star®-rated appliance. For instance, an Energy Star-rated refrigerator can save you 15 percent compared to other models (see more tips for buying an energy-efficient refrigerator here).  Be sure to check for manufacturer and utility-company rebates to get the best bang for your buck when you change up your kitchenware. Don’t forget to recycle your second fridge – many states offer rebates when you show proof of recycling.

More fridge tips: If it’s cold out, get a little creative. Consider stashing your beverages outdoors to keep them chilled.

Stove: Minimize preheating the oven, and turn it off 10 minutes before your meal is done. Use your oven's energy-saving convection feature if it has one. Buy a meat thermometer to avoid heat loss from frequent oven opening, and peek at your meal through the glass door.

Another tip? Use only right-sized, flat-bottomed pans and pots with the minimum flame that does the job. Warped bottoms impede heat conduction, especially with electric stovetops.

Sink: What uses more energy, dishwashing or hand washing? It depends on how much you really wash your dishes, but hand washing dishes can actually use more water. Today’s more energy-efficient dishwashers use less hot water and less energy overall than hand washing. Scrape dishes before loading to avoid wasting water on rinsing.

Smaller Appliances: For cooking smaller dishes, microwave and toaster ovens and slow cookers save energy versus your conventional oven. Using your microwave could cut your energy use up to 80 percent in your kitchen, according to Energy.gov.

Lighting: Contemporary kitchens are lit up like stages, so they're a prime candidate for high-efficiency light bulbs like CFLs and LEDs. Dimmable versions of these bulbs save even more and let you mellow the mood. A low-cost or no-cost home energy evaluation may include installation of thrifty light bulbs.

Anh Tuan