Conserving energy and reducing your monthly electricity bill is easier than you think, Eskom said.

Below are eight quick and easy ways to save energy, cut your electricity bill and still make delicious meals:

• The size of your pots and pans
When you’re using your stove to cook, make sure that you are using the right size pots and pans. If you’re preparing a smaller meal, then you should use a smaller pot or pan. Oversized pots and pans radiate more heat than necessary.

Additionally, keeping a lid on the pots and pans helps keep the heat in, allowing you to use less energy to cook your meal. Lastly, use the small stove plates for small pots and pans. If an undersized pot or pan is used, heat escapes from the uncovered part of the plate.

• Choose the right appliance
It is important to find the right balance between using an oven and a microwave. Microwaves are ideal for cooking smaller dishes. Depending on what you’re cooking, you may also find it’s better to choose an energy-efficient countertop appliance, such as a pressure cooker as this cooks the food quicker, using less energy.

• Making sure your stovetop is clean
The efficiency of a gas stove’s burners can be significantly reduced if they are blackened due to heavy use. The best way to ensure that you do not waste energy with a grimy stovetop is to clean it often.

• Cut down on your cooking time
Reduce your overall cooking time by planning ahead and sticking to energy-efficient cooking methods. Logically, the less time you spend cooking, the less energy you will typically use.

When it comes to defrosting frozen items, place them somewhere where they will get sufficient light to defrost without being spoiled. You can also reduce cooking time by waiting until the last minute to preheat the oven, should you need to use it. It is very important that you avoid opening the oven door to check the food, as this wastes energy.

• Spend money on high-quality cookware
A warped pan could waste approximately 50 per cent of the heat used on a stovetop. However, a flat pan will use almost all the energy provided. Similarly, if you use high-quality cookware that is made of highly conductive materials it typically gives the same results while using approximately 25 per cent less heat. Glass or ceramic pans are better in the oven, and pans with a copper bottom are better on stovetops.

• Simple cooking tips 
Try to cover pans when possible to prevent heat loss, and use less fat and liquid for faster cooking times. Turn off the pan or oven a little earlier, and let the residual heat finish the dish for you. Obviously do not do this when baking.

• Embrace leftovers
Leftovers do not only have to be old food from the night before. Reheat leftovers in the microwave instead of on the stovetop. The microwave uses more energy, but cooking times are generally faster than ovens. Additionally, soups and stews preserve well in the freezer and are easy to reheat.

Eskom further appealed to the public to remember to keep an eye out and respond to the real-time Power Alert messages to help manage the strain on the electricity system.

For more energy-saving tips, click here.