Like many home cooks, I've fallen into the habit of peeking into the oven to check doneness—but it comes at a cost to your energy bill. Opening the oven door causes significant heat loss, dropping the temperature by several degrees each time. This is especially noticeable during preheating.
Resist the urge and keep the door closed as much as possible. You'll only need to open it once to remove your dish. If your oven has an interior light, turn it on to monitor progress without losing heat—just ensure the glass is clean for a clear view.
Consistent energy-saving habits like this add up daily, helping savvy households cut costs. By minimizing door openings, you'll notice lower consumption on your utility bills—particularly with electric ovens, which draw more power than gas models. From my own experience switching to this practice, the difference is clear and rewarding.
