The holiday season is a time for celebration and reflection, but it is also one of the most expensive times of the year. The desire for gift-giving, entertainment, and elaborate decor is high, but so is the financial burden. Energy usage around the holidays is a large contributor to seasonal costs, and there are numerous ways to save both energy and money this season.
Save the Planet this Holiday Season
Heating
• Turn down the heat during holiday parties to save money. The reduction in temperature will be offset by the body heat of the guests.
• If you have a fireplace, use it to heat your home instead of your thermostat.
Decorations
• Switch your holiday lights to LEDs to reduce energy consumption and save money. LED lights are 80-90% more efficient than traditional holiday lights.
• Use an automatic timer to optimize your energy savings by turning on and off at specific times of the day.
• Consider purchasing an artificial tree, which can be reused year after year, or even better, ‘rent’ a re-plantable tree that is returned to a farm every year.
Holiday Cooking
• To save energy while cooking, use the oven light to check on food instead of opening the door. Every time you open the door, heat escapes and can lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees, which will also waste cooking time too.
• Consider the size of your pan when cooking on the stove. As an example, using a six-inch pan on an eight-inch burner can result in up to 40% energy loss.
• Use smaller appliances when cooking, especially when it comes to reheating food. By using a microwave instead of an oven, you reduce energy by 50%.
• Only run your dishwasher with a full load.
Shopping
• Shop online. You save on gas, impulse buys, time, and sanity.
• Buy local foods to support your local economy and it keeps transportation-related energy costs to a minimum.
• Find inexpensive and unique gifts from thrift stores and antique shops while reducing waste.
• Make a personal pledge to buy gifts that don’t use electricity or batteries. You will save money on batteries and electricity.
• To reduce waste, invest in rechargeable batteries and chargers.
• Purchase ENERGY STAR-certified electronics and appliances. These products use up to 60% less electricity than non-certified and save you money in the end.
Bottom line
When it comes to saving energy, it can be the most simple, yet most overlooked things that can make the largest impact on your energy bill. The holidays can be one of the most energy-sucking times of the year, but with some creative mindfulness, you can save peace of mind (and some money) by practicing energy-saving resolutions!