Don’t Let a Full House Send Energy Bills Through the Roof

Preparing a Thanksgiving feast means you’ll be using more energy than usual. Here’s how to keep it under control:
Lower the thermostat a couple of degrees before company arrives. You’ll be using the stove and oven all day, so the house will be warmer than usual anyway. Plus, people generate heat, so a cooler house will feel more comfortable.

Consider alternative versions of your Thanksgiving favorites for a fresh, healthy spin on tradition that doesn’t require as much energy to cook. A bean salad could replace green bean casserole. Try a green salad with dried cranberries and feta cheese. Smoke or fry a turkey outside instead of in the oven. Or make mashed potatoes in the slow cooker or electric pressure cooker instead of on the stove. Fresh fruit for dessert could replace apple pie and provide a refreshing, light option.

Keep an eye on the refrigerator and freezer so you’ll know the doors are snugly closed. Doors that aren’t tightly sealed will send cold air into the kitchen.

Wait until leftovers cool off a bit before placing them in the refrigerator. The appliance has to work harder to cool hot food than to keep cool food cold.

Place lids on pots and pans as you use them for cooking. The lids keep heat in, so food cooks quicker.
Heat up whatever you can in the microwave instead of on the stovetop or in the oven. Microwaves use about half as much energy as your oven.

Fill your oven with as many different dishes as you can fit and cook them all at once. As long as the recipes don’t call for temperatures that vary by more than 25 degrees, everything should cook or bake evenly.
Resist the temptation to open the oven door and peek at dinner’s progress. Every time you open the oven door, the appliance loses heat and sets back the cooking time.

Don’t buy a bigger turkey than you need. A smaller turkey takes less time to cook. If you’re roasting your turkey for several hours, then it isn’t necessary to preheat the oven. Just make sure the meat reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees.