8 Easy Tips to Save Energy on Thanksgiving

As many of us soon prepare to entertain family and friends at our homes for Turkey Day, we thought we’d take the opportunity to share some tips to help you save energy during the occasion. These tips will help you save on your energy bill and keep things more eco-friendly and comfortable. With that in mind, here are eight easy tips to help you save energy on Thanksgiving.

1. Turn your thermostat down. With all that cooking and the extra people in your home, you’re likely to have more heat building up. Lower your thermostat a few degrees and you’ll cut down on energy use—and stay more comfortable.

2. Defrost au naturel. Plan ahead and defrost your turkey in the fridge, versus a microwave that will use much more energy. This can take a few days, depending on the size of your turkey—about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds—but it will also help with even thawing to maintain the texture and moisture of your bird.

3. Cook smarter. Use your oven to bake multiple dishes at the same time. It will help you make the most of the energy you’re using. Just be sure to keep the oven door closed as much as possible. The temperature inside can drop by as much as 25 degrees each time you open your oven. Also, try ceramic and glass cookware. They retain heat better than metal and let you cook at lower temperatures and for shorter times.

4. Cook your bird outside. Instead on cooking your turkey in the oven this year, try throwing it on the grill or in a smoker. It will give your holiday bird a nice smokey taste while lowering your energy use indoors.

5. Use energy-efficient appliances. Whenever possible, opt for using your microwave or kettle to heat things up, versus stovetop burners that can use more energy. Slow cookers, too, are a great way to cut down on costs when preparing side dishes or a main course, as they’re more efficient than your oven.

6. Be fridge-friendly. Take a moment to plan ahead and remove all items you’ll need from your refrigerator at the same time. This will minimize the amount of cool air you lose from repeatedly opening the door. Also, consider using an ice chest for drinks to keep people out of your fridge as often and to free up space for other items. And when you have leftovers later on, be sure they’ve cooled totally before placing them in the fridge to keep it from working overtime. Your fridge will thank you, and you’ll save energy.

7. Unplug appliances. When you’re done in the kitchen, unplug smaller appliances like coffee makers and mixers to prevent phantom energy use—many of these appliances continue to consume energy even when not in use.

8. Switch to green holiday lighting. If you’re already planning to set up holiday lighting, consider using LEDs over more traditional incandescent bulbs. And put them on timers. LEDs are much more efficient and tend to last longer and having them on a timer will prevent you from forgetting to turn them off when you don’t need them.

We hope these tips help you conserve energy this holiday season—every little bit helps save money and preserve the health of the planet.