Trying to make your home eco-friendly through the holidays doesn't have to be a burden.
It's the most wonderful time of the year! The smell of pine and cinnamon, cookies baking
in the oven, lights twinkling inside and outside your home, and… An enormous electric bill.
Ouch...
If you're thinking about having a greener holiday season, try the following tips:
Use Better Lights
Try LED or energy-efficient bulbs instead of traditional ones. Incandescent lights draw up to
90% more watts than LED lights, so switching to LED strands—or going with wreaths, bows
and lawn ornaments that don't use energy—can save you a ton.
Use Smart Plugs
It's easy to forget to unplug decorations and lights, but doing so can make a real ding in your
monthly budget. That's where smart plugs come in handy. Some smart plugs can also be
programmed to run on a timer or manually from an app on your smart device. When you're
toasty in bed, you can turn off your lights to save on energy. Plus, if you're away on vacation,
you can pull a "Home Alone" and make it look like you're home, which can help deter holiday theft.
Cook Wisely and in Batches
Holiday cooking is one of the best parts of the season. This season, when you're making lots
of cookies, roasts and goodies, remember to bake in batches so you don't waste energy heating
and re-heating the oven.
Also, use appropriately-sized cookware. Glass or ceramic pots and pans can be heated to 25 degrees
less than recipes recommend, and cast iron retains heat easier, making these types of cookware
a good option to help you save more on energy costs. And don't forget that the oven will act as
a temporary space heater when you're cooking, so be sure to turn down your thermostat.
Carols around the fireplace, anyone?
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