Holiday energy-saving tips

Posted by Guest Blogger on November 20, 2014

The holiday season is generally a time for higher energy use, but there are plenty of ways to save. Here are holiday energy-saving tips to help you and your family cut back on your energy use:

• Replace your old holiday lights with light-emitting diode (LED) light strings.
• If you don't use timers, unplug your lights when you go to sleep or leave home.
• Rather than adding more lights to your tree, try enhancing the existing lighting with tinsel, mirrored ornaments and other reflective items
• Cook as many dishes as possible in your microwave over the holidays. Because microwaves cook food so quickly, the typical model uses as much as 75 percent less energy, compared with conventional ovens.
•  If you do use your oven, turn it off several minutes before your food is fully cooked. As long as the door remains closed, enough heat will be stored inside to finish cooking your meal
• Run your dishwasher with a full load to optimize efficiency.
• Store extra beverages outside or in the garage during the winter, and save on the energy required to power a second refrigerator.
•  TVs, DVD players, computers, printers, radios and many other electronics use energy even when they aren’t turned on. Unplug these items before you go on vacation or leave home for the holidays.
  

For additional energy-saving tips, videos and resources visit WH's energy conservation page.