Holiday Energy Efficiency

Eco-friendly Celebrations

By Katrina McDowell on Nov 26, 2024 in Energy

The holiday season is ramping up, but your bills don’t have to! Enjoy the holidays without worrying about rising energy costs. Let’s explore some simple tips for keeping your home cozy and using low energy this winter.

Put down the sponge: Did you know you use up to 27 gallons of water per load by hand-washing dishes? According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), an ENERGY STAR®-rated dishwasher only uses three gallons of water per load. An ENERGY STAR-certified dishwasher can save almost 5,000 gallons of water per year.

In 2013, dishwashers were introduced with new standards that required them to only use as much as five gallons per load. Be sure it’s a whole load before running the dishwasher, and scrape food remnants into the trash before loading it. Prerinsing wastes more than 6,000 gallons of water per household yearly.

Opt for small appliances: Embrace the convenience of using small appliances such as slow cookers, instant pots, toaster ovens, air fryers or microwaves. These energy-efficient alternatives save more energy than the oven or stove, making cooking a breeze. Instant pots or slow cookers are perfect for cooking side dishes like casseroles or chilis. Toaster ovens can quickly reheat leftovers and bake cookies or small cakes.

Keep lids on: While cooking on the stove, cover pots and pans with lids to reduce heat waste, save energy and help food cook faster.

No peeking: Can’t seem to stop looking at that delicious turkey? Use the oven light instead of opening the oven several times. A substantial amount of heat escapes whenever you open the oven door while cooking. Keep the door shut to save energy and cut back on cooking time.

Sharing is caring: Maximize oven efficiency and the joy of the holiday season by baking multiple dishes together. Roasted vegetables and meats are a delicious duo that can be cooked together. Use ceramic or glass baking dishes to retain heat better than their metal counterparts, making them the most energy-efficient option for baking.

Stay warm: As the kitchen heats up with cooking, so does the rest of the house. Turn the thermostat down a few degrees to save energy and stay comfortable. Turn down the heat even further when having a holiday gathering since extra body heat from guests should help keep everyone comfortable.

Light it up: Here’s a bright idea for holiday lights—use LED lights! According to energy.gov, LEDs use up to 70 percent less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs and last about ten times longer. Some companies offer rental services for solar-powered light displays.

These simple acts of responsibility can significantly reduce your energy bills during the holidays, giving you a sense of financial security and control over energy usage.