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Thanksgiving is the perfect time to welcome family and friends into your home. However, with extra people around, it’s easy to see your energy bill rise as the heating, lighting, and appliances work overtime. Hosting a memorable Thanksgiving weekend doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice energy efficiency. Here are some practical tips to keep energy use in check while ensuring your guests feel warm and welcome.
1. Adjust Your Thermostat for a Full House
With extra people in the house, you won’t need to heat your space as much to maintain a cozy temperature. Turn down the thermostat a few degrees, as the body heat and warmth from the kitchen will help keep the space comfortable. Set the thermostat to around 68°F during the day, and drop it a few more degrees at night.
Tip: If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to automatically adjust based on the times you’ll be busiest cooking or when guests are gathered.
2. Cook Smarter, Not Harder
Thanksgiving cooking can use a lot of energy, especially with the oven running for hours. Here’s how to save energy in the kitchen:
- Batch Cooking: Try to cook multiple dishes together in the oven if they require similar temperatures. This cuts down on preheating time and reduces the need to reheat.
- Keep the Oven Closed: Each time you open the oven door, the temperature drops by as much as 25°F, requiring more energy to bring it back up. Use the oven light to check on food instead of opening the door.
- Use Smaller Appliances: For side dishes, consider using a toaster oven, microwave, or slow cooker, as these appliances consume less energy than a full-sized oven.
3. Switch to LED or Natural Lighting
Thanksgiving gatherings often extend into the evening, making lighting essential. If you haven’t switched to LED bulbs yet, this is a great time to do it! LED lights use up to 80% less energy and last much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. You can also maximize natural light during the day by keeping blinds or curtains open.
Tip: Dim lights and add candles for a warm, cozy ambiance that also saves energy.
4. Reduce Water Heating Costs
With guests around, your hot water use may go up due to extra showers, dishwashing, and laundry. To save energy:
- Lower the Water Heater Temperature: Set your water heater to 120°F, which is both energy-efficient and comfortable.
- Encourage Shorter Showers: Politely remind guests to take shorter showers if possible. This can help conserve both water and the energy needed to heat it.
Bonus: Consider using cold water for laundry, as many detergents are now designed to clean effectively in cold water.
5. Use Energy-Efficient Decorations
Holiday decorations bring warmth and charm to your home, but they don’t have to be an energy drain. Use LED string lights or battery-operated candles instead of traditional incandescent options. Solar-powered outdoor lights are also a great choice if you decorate the outside of your home.
Tip: Consider using a timer to turn off decorations overnight so they don’t use unnecessary energy while everyone’s asleep.
6. Encourage Responsible Device Charging
With everyone bringing their own phones, tablets, and laptops, there’s often a scramble for outlets. While charging is inevitable, remind guests to unplug chargers when they’re done, as these can continue drawing “phantom energy” even when they’re not actively charging a device. Offering a power strip in the guest room can help centralize charging and make unplugging easier.
7. Run Full Loads of Dishes and Laundry
Extra guests mean extra dishes and laundry, but you can still keep energy use efficient. Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine until you have a full load. Dishwashers use the same amount of water and energy, whether they’re full or half-full, so maximizing the load helps conserve both.
Tip: Use the dishwasher’s eco-mode if available, and air dry dishes rather than using the heated dry setting.
8. Encourage Guests to Embrace a Low-Energy Mindset
This is a great time to introduce family and friends to a few simple energy-saving habits. Encourage turning off lights when leaving a room, only charging devices as needed, and closing doors and windows to keep heat in. If your guests are new to energy-saving ideas, they may appreciate learning these easy ways to be more sustainable during their stay.
Idea: Share your energy-saving approach by explaining how it benefits both the environment and your home’s energy bills.
9. Use Energy-Saving Window Treatments
If the weather is particularly chilly, consider using insulated curtains to reduce heat loss through your windows. Closing the curtains at night can help retain heat, while opening them during the day lets in warmth from sunlight. This simple step can make a noticeable difference in maintaining a cozy atmosphere without overusing your heating system.
10. Set Up a Relaxing Candlelit Evening
Encourage a night where everyone gathers for a candlelit evening. This is a fun way to save energy on lights while setting a calming, intimate mood. Pair it with board games or storytelling to add an old-fashioned charm to your holiday gathering.
Hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean an uptick in energy use. With a few thoughtful adjustments, you can make your home comfortable, warm, and eco-friendly all weekend long. By implementing these energy-saving tips, you can enjoy the holiday season while being mindful of both the environment and your energy bill.
