Use These Tips to Save Energy During the Holidays

As we welcome winter, the Co-op encourages members to prepare for colder weather. By applying the following tips when temperatures start to drop, you can conserve energy while maintaining the warm, welcoming atmosphere that keeps the holiday spirit alive in your home. 

If you have a fireplace, check to make sure that the seal around its damper is tight, preventing the loss of warm air. You should also never leave the damper open when the fireplace is not in use. If Christmas lights are a part of your decorating routine, opt for the more efficient LED lights instead of traditional incandescent bulbs. Curious about how much energy your Christmas lights use? Visit the Energy Savings tab on the home page of our website and use our holiday lighting calculator to find out. Simply select your lighting type, the number of strands in use, the number of hours the lights will be on and the number of days to find out your total usage. If you spend much time in the kitchen during the holidays, remember to use energy efficient appliances to cook, when possible. If you are using the oven, a great way to save energy is to cook in large batches, and to turn off the oven a little before your meal is finished. This allows the oven to use residual heat to complete the cooking process. 

When colder weather comes calling, conserve electricity with helpful energy-saving tips.