One of the easiest ways to save energy when using the oven is to defrost frozen food in the refrigerator. A thawed-out meal like a frozen meatloaf will cook more quickly in the oven versus cooking it straight from the freezer. But when you defrost food in the fridge, be sure to do one more thing: Cover it. Uncovered frozen food releases moisture as it thaws out, which makes your refrigerator’s compressor work harder and use more energy to run.
ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION