A More Efficient Home This Thanksgiving

Keep these tips in mind to keep energy costs down while entertaining.

MXM for HouseLogic

Before:

• Install dimmer switches. Every time you dim a bulb’s brightness by 10 percent, you’ll double its lifespan.
• Plan side dishes that can cook simultaneously with the turkey. If you cook dishes at the same temperature at the same time, you’ll reduce the amount of time the oven has to be running.

During cook-time:

• The oven will keep your home cozy, so you can lower your house thermostat a few degrees.
• If you use your oven’s convection feature, you'll reduce the required temperature and cooking time and cut your energy use by about 20 percent.
• Use microwaves and slow cookers whenever possible, as they both use less energy than ovens overall.

After the meal:

• Scrape plates instead of rinsing. Then, use your dishwasher (on the air-dry setting) on whatever dishes you can, as it saves both energy and water.
• Compost your non-meat food waste.

Source: "9 Ways to Avoid Gobbling Up Energy on Thanksgiving," HouseLogic (Nov. 12, 2012)