Appliances like washers, dryers and dishwashers are convenient and common in most homes, but they are also strains on the power grid. The best time to run these appliances is at night or first thing in the morning. The peak time for energy usage in most communities is between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; when too many people are running appliances and home air conditioning during these hours, it can often lead to blackouts. Run appliances during off-peak hours to save money and help lessen the strain on the grid.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When you’re using your oven to bake dinner for a crowd, one of the worst things you can do to affect the food and your utility bill is open the oven door unnecessarily. Ovens use a lot of energy to get hot, and every time you open the door, the temperature drops by about 25 degrees. When you close it, the oven uses more energy to get back up to the programmed temperature. This also can affect the final outcome of dishes -- especially baked treats. Use the oven light instead of opening the door to check on whatever you’re cooking.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have food waste, here are some quick and easy ways to use leftover scraps, peels and trimmings in the kitchen. Broccoli stalks are edible and can be sliced, trimmed and made into a nutrient-dense soup. Rinds from hard cheeses can be tossed directly into sauces and soups to add a new dimension of cheesy, salty flavor. For a most delicious snack, save your potato skins and dry them to make crispy, crunchy potato-skin snacks. And a good tip worth repeating: Save your coffee grinds and rub them in your hands. They’ll exfoliate your skin and leave your hands baby soft.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION