Energy Saving Tips to Help You Through the Holidays

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 17 August 2016 09:43

With the holidays fast approaching, your utility costs may be unusually high. Whether you’re decorating your home with brilliant lights, cooking up a bountiful feast or heating your dwelling to accommodate guests and visitors, this added energy can be costly. The following advice will help you through the holidays without having to spend additional energy and money.

Stay Watchful of Your Thermostat

There is so much work being done today that focuses on helping the environment. Homeowners are also adopting this approach by purchasing energy-efficient appliances, recycling and using “green” products to clean their home and work spaces. If you’re looking to use less energy and be kind to Mother Earth, a programmable thermostat can help the planet by setting your home at an automatic temperature. If you’re at work or away from home during the day, you can set your heat at a lower level. You can also program the thermostat to turn to a higher temperature when you wake up in the morning and return from work at night. By turning it down a few degrees can save you a significant amount of energy and lower your utility bills.

Economical Heating

Appliances, plumbing systems and air conditioners and heating units are much different than they were in the past. In addition to running more efficiently, the new gadgets can reduce the costs that it takes for them to run. During the holidays, you may be especially busy with social activities and entertaining guests in your household. You can do your part to make your home better insulated by sealing cracks and gaps around your doors and windows. Have your fireplace and furnace repaired or serviced to ensure that they’re working properly. If a problem occurs, have it fixed immediately. You can also switch your ceiling fans to the winter mode, as it pushes the warm air downward instead of trapping it near the ceiling.

Plumbing Stoppages

If you’re entertaining guests for an evening or extended periods of time, you’re plumbing should be in excellent working condition. Before your guests arrive, do a thorough walk through to check toilets, shower heads and faucets are all operational. If you encounter any leaks or clogs, you’ll have sufficient time to repair any issues before they arrive. Keep a toilet plunger in every bathroom of your household in case of any emergency clogs. 

Assess Appliances

You may be doing a significant amount of cooking during the holidays. Whether you’re cooking a holiday dinner, appetizers or holiday baking, you’ll want to ensure that your oven and microwave are in tip top shape. Clean the refrigerator and replace your bulbs. This is also an excellent time to ditch foods that have gone bad or expired. You don’t want to waste money cooling foods that are no longer safe to eat. If you’re having any issues with an appliance, a repair tech can give them a tune up before the festivities start.

Rethink Your Lighting

You may want to decorate your home and yard with brilliant lights for the holidays. Today’s resources are energy efficient and better for the environment. When choosing your decorations, look for the LED variety. In addition to using a less energy, they’ll also last longer. You can also replace the bulbs throughout your home with the same variety. 

Plant for a Power Outage

If the majority of your neighborhood is using more energy to light their homes, your community may be at a greater risk of a power outage. If this occurs during a holiday party or while you’re entertaining out-of-town guests, you want to be prepared. Have extra-flashlights and lanterns handy in case your power goes off. 

Smart Cooking

No matter if you’re cooking a turkey or holiday cookies, you may be prone to opening the door to your oven more frequently. Unfortunately, every time you open the door, the temperature of the oven is lowered. Set a timer for the required amount of cookie time. If you’re looking to use less energy, plan dishes that will utilize your outdoor grill or slow cooker more. 

This holiday season, keep utility costs down by trying these energy saving tips so you and your family can enjoy your holidays without breaking the bank!

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Bethany Mairinger

My name is Bethany a blogger and independent freelance journalist. Working as an independent media consultant since 2009. I've contributed a lot of news articles, ideas, inventions and more on various online weblogs.

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