Trim the Turkey, Trim Your Gas Bill with These Efficient Thanksgiving Energy Tips

You may put a lot of energy into your Thanksgiving planning, but you don’t need to use a lot of energy. Energy usage typically spikes on Thanksgiving Day with all of the cooking and entertaining going on. However, with a few simple tips, you can keep your gas bill in check before, during, and after the big meal.

Turn the thermostat down a few degrees before the action starts.

With friends and family filling up your home and with the oven going in the kitchen, your home will be plenty warm. Let your heating system enjoy a little break for the holiday by lowering the temperature on the thermostat before the prep starts and before the crowds show up.

Plan your side dishes around the turkey’s schedule.

Cook side dishes in the oven alongside the turkey, rather than heating them before or after the turkey cooks. Make sure to consider temperature differences between the turkey and side dishes when estimating cooking time. Assuming you’ll have the oven on for a few hours to slow cook the turkey anyway, skip the pre-heating and save even more energy. Alternately, if planning isn’t your thing, use your microwave for side dishes. It uses less energy than the oven and cooks quicker.

Keep heat from escaping with a few simple tricks.

Every time you open the oven door, you potentially lower the temperature by about 25 degrees, requiring a little more energy to get back up to temperature. Likewise, if you keep lids on pots dishes you’re heating on the stove, you’re able to reduce cooking time and energy use. When selecting bakeware, opt for ceramic or glass, as they retain heat better than metal dishes.

Downsize your turkey if you’re having a smaller gathering.

A larger bird takes longer to cook, of course, and thus uses more energy. If your Thanksgiving dinner is on the more intimate side, opt for a smaller turkey. With fewer leftovers, you won’t need to think as much about all the creative ways to incorporate turkey into future lunches or dinners, unless that’s your thing.

Fill up the dishwasher after the meal instead of the sink.

Though it may seem like hand washing uses less energy because you aren’t running an appliance, the fact is you still rely on your water heater to produce hot water, and washing by hand requires more hot water, making it less efficient compared to a dishwasher. Skip rinsing dishes, scrape off food into the trashcan, fill up that dishwasher and do multiple loads if you have to.

The Sponsors of Mass Save^® are thankful for all of the Massachusetts residents that have found ways to save energy this year, making us the #1 state for energy efficiency for the eighth year in a row. You too can save with rebates on efficient gas heating appliances. Click here to learn more.