Thanksgiving is right around the corner! While it is a time of gratitude, community, and family, the holiday contributes to an annual increase in energy use due to a variety of reasons.

Some drivers of increased energy use include lower temperatures, as well as more frequent appliance and lighting use. Try these tips to help you save energy during this holiday season:

Pre-Meal Prep

• Don’t buy a turkey bigger than necessary for your group. Small turkeys take less time to cook, meaning less energy use.
• When slow-roasting a turkey for hours, preheating the oven is not necessary!
• Add side dishes in the oven with your turkey. Cooking food simultaneously saves energy! Be sure to adjust cooking time for higher or lower temperatures.
• Lower your home’s thermostat a few degrees. Your oven will help heat your home.
• Keep the oven door closed while cooking. Opening the oven can lower the temperature 25 to 75 degrees.
• Use smaller appliances when possible, like your microwave or toaster. Smaller appliances can use half the energy of an oven.

Post-Meal Tips

• Don’t wash dishes by hand. Dishwashers, especially Energy Star-certified ones, use considerably less water and energy.
• Let your leftovers cool before putting them in the refrigerator. Putting hot dishes in the refrigerator uses more energy to cool food.
• Turn off the lights when the room is not occupied.