Saving Energy During Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a much-awaited holiday for those who don’t get to see each other that often. Having your friends and family over to celebrate life can be fun, but it can also make your energy bills cost more. There are some things that you can do to help save on your energy usage during these family get-togethers.
Use a Dishwasher Instead Of Handwashing
When it comes to your water bill, a dishwasher is more efficient than hand washing dishes and saves you money. In fact, a dishwasher will use one-sixth of the amount of water as handwashing. Plus, it uses much less soap, which means cheaper costs while at the grocery store.
Turn Your Thermostat Down
When you have a lot of people inside of your home, the temperature rises. This is due to the natural heat that the body gives off and the heat from cooking your Thanksgiving meal. You can save yourself some money on your energy bills by turning your thermostat down a few degrees. It will even keep your visitors more comfortable. This means that fewer of them will need to travel in and out of your home to cool off, which will decrease heating costs.
Install Energy-Efficient Lighting
If you’re still relying on those old incandescent light bulbs, it’s high time to upgrade. LED lights are the newest craze, and for good reason. They use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and they last up to 25 times longer too. While they have a higher initial cost, it pales in comparison to the energy you save. Plus, they have a longer lifespan so you won’t have to buy them as often.
Plan Dishes Ahead of Time
The picture associated with any Thanksgiving holiday is all the food that comes with it. For some people, this could mean using their oven and stove all day long. For others who plan ahead, that shouldn’t be an issue. Take some time to think about your side dishes. Choose ones that can cook at the same temperature as your turkey. This way, you don’t have to run your oven for longer to cook all your delicious Thanksgiving food.
Supplement With Slow Cookers and Microwaves
Running your oven is going to be one of the biggest costs behind food for the holiday. You can work to save yourself some money by running your oven less to prepare your meal. Consider using a slower cooker and even the microwave to heat up essential side dishes. Both of these use less energy than running your oven to prepare your meal.
Call Us Today
As Thanksgiving approaches, consider upgrading some electrical parts of your home. Making them more energy efficient can help you save even more money. Call us today to get a helpful electrician on the way to your home.
