Lights, laughter and lots of baking — sounds like the holidays! But all that fun can use as much as 28% more energy. Try these energy-saving tricks to keep the season merry, without overloading your energy consumption.
Entertaining
Lower the thermostat before you start that party
If you’re planning a party or two, consider lowering the thermostat a couple of degrees before your guests arrive. The extra heat from the oven and a few extra bodies in the living room can make up for the lower temperature.
Try no-bake recipes or do all your baking at once to save energy
For smaller meals between gatherings, use an air fryer or slow cooker instead of your oven to reduce energy use by 60 to 75% for the same meal.
Fully load your dishwasher before you run it
The holiday season can come with a lot more dirty dishes. Make sure to wait until your dishwasher is completely full before you run it. If your dishwasher has an ‘Eco’ mode, try to use that to reduce energy consumption.
Pre-treat laundry stains and use cold water
If you find a few more gravy stains on tablecloths and clothing, try pre-treating the stain and run your washing machine on the cool or cold setting to use less hot water.
Switch off the screens and play some games
Take a break from TV and smart devices to save energy and have the opportunity to connect with family and friends through board games or other offline activities.
Decor
Use timers on your lights and devices
Shining lights and the glow from the fireplace set the holiday mood. Try using timers on your lights and other devices to avoid having them on all the time. If you’re buying new lights for your tree or light fixtures in your home, consider switching to LED lights, which use as much as 80% less energy than standard light bulbs.
Don’t let phantom power haunt you
Make sure to unplug coffee makers, phone chargers and other small appliances you aren’t using. Standby or “phantom” power on many devices can use energy when you don’t realize it.
Gifts
Be energy conscious in your gift giving
When buying presents for friends or family, non-electric options like a gym membership, gift certificate or a planned outing can help reduce energy use. If you’re looking for the perfect energy-saving gift for that hard-to-buy-for person, a smart thermostat can reduce energy use by up 8% throughout the year.
However you celebrate this time of year, spending time together doesn’t have to mean using more energy. These small changes can make a big difference in how much energy you use over the holiday season.
