Saving Energy For Cheaper Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a great time for families to come together and enjoy great food and warm company. But it’s also one of the most expensive holidays of the year. You could rack up a huge Ohio energy bill, from powering your oven, lights and entertainment, and keeping warm this chilly November. And if you haven’t shopped for the best electric supplier deal lately, you could pay even more! However, you can shave your bills this year if you follow these best nine energy saving tips for your Thanksgiving dinner!
Energy Saving Heating Tips
Obviously, you don’t have time for major home energy projects before Thanksgiving. But these tips can help cut costs.
- Keep Doors And Windows Shut
Heat gain/loss through inefficient windows can raise your heating and cooling use by up to 30%. The same thing happens whenever you open exterior doors. So imagine how much energy you waste, every time someone opens the door to come in and out. - Turn Down Your Thermostat
If you are hosting a dinner, you probably won’t need to run your furnace. This might not make a lot of sense, but follow me on this one. If you add in the heat from the turkey in the oven plus pots on the stove, there’s usually no reason to run your home’s furnace. But, you should run the blower fan to circulate the heat. - You can also save as much as 10% on heating and cooling by turning down your thermostat by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day when you’re not home or you’re asleep.
- Encourage Winter Wear
Ohio can get pretty chilly this time of the year. So encourage guests to keep their sweaters on. Don’t forget that the human body puts out around 80-100 watts of heat per hour. So large gatherings can get toasty enough that a light sweater will work just fine. - Let The Sun Cook
Finally, open south facing windows during the day so the sun can help heat your home.
Best Lighting Energy Tips
- Switch To LED Lights
LED lights use 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. This is important for Thanksgiving dinner, because you’re more likely to keep more lights on around the home so your guests can navigate your home. - Consider Candles
Candles can provide warm lighting for smaller rooms that won’t see a lot of use. Just make sure to practice good candle safety.
Food Tips for Saving Energy
- Store Drinks In Coolers
You use up more energy every time you open the refrigerator. So keep your cold drinks in coolers whenever possible. - Cook Multiple Dishes At The Same Time
Your oven costs you more money the longer it stays on. So whenever possible, cook more than one dish at the same time. This is easier for side dishes like Mac n’ cheese or baked greens. - Add Room Temperature Food To The Menu
Speaking of food, try adding a few cold or room temperature foods to the menu. This could include cheese boards or sliced veggie platters.
Why Save Energy For Thanksgiving Dinner
It comes as no surprise that most homes use more energy on Thanksgiving day. Kids are off school and families come together for big gatherings and dinners. So you are already using more energy to stay warm during the colder weather. Let’s not forget that cooking for family dinners also uses up a lot of power in your oven. That’s why you are likely to see bigger-than-normal bills if you don’t find ways to cut costs now.
As always, you can count on us for more tips and news that could affect your bills. You can also shop for the cheapest electricity rates in town, right here at https://www.ohenergyratings.com.