Alongside turning off electrical appliances and fitting efficient light bulbs, homeowners can also save energy by changing their cooking habits in the kitchen. That is according to one Bellingham-based expert, who has explained that even the simplest cooking habits can impact upon energy bills, with most homeowners able to take easy steps in order to cut back on their outgoings as well as their environmental impact. For example, around 40 per cent of all heat is wasted if a six-inch pan is placed on top of an eight-inch burner, while flat-bottomed pans have better contact with elements and are therefore more efficient than concave-bottomed cookware. Other top tips for reducing energy usage laid out by the Bellingham Herald include defrosting items in the fridge first rather than cooking straight from frozen, as well as cooking double portions in order to reduce the need to cook from scratch every evening. This advice comes as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has predicted that new rules stipulating the energy efficiency levels of kitchen and other household appliances will help consumers save a collective 150 million a year.