Is your home ready for the holidays? While you enjoy the season, your appliances and other devices work extra hard to keep up with increased use. Learn more about what adds to your energy bill and learn ways to save.
Holiday contributors to your energy bill:
- Holiday lights
- Kids being home from school
- Hosting guests for the holidays
- Extra cooking in the kitchen
- Extra use of electronics and device charging
- Colder than normal weather
Easy ways to save this season
Lower the thermostat: When you’re hosting, you’re opening doors more frequently, or opening a kitchen window when you’re working up a sweat in the kitchen. Turn down your thermostat a few degrees so your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard during this time.
Watch the weather: Last winter’s extremely cold temperatures caused higher energy bills across Michigan. If we get a holiday cold snap, avoid dialing up your thermostat and use blankets to stay cozy.
Avoid extra heating appliances: If your guests are spending time in your basement or garage this season, avoid using space heaters or gas fireplaces for heating. These items use a lot of extra energy, and can really add up on your bill.
Energy efficient holiday lighting: Put your outdoor and indoor holiday lights on timers to make sure they don’t run any longer than you want them to. If possible, take advantage of holiday sales and upgrade to LED lights that use less electricity.
Don’t just use the oven: Consider using slow cookers, air fryers or toaster ovens to keep your oven from running all day and using more natural gas.
Don’t overload your fridge: If your fridge is packed, it will work harder to stay cold. Leading up to the holidays, consider a fridge cleanout to free some extra space. Make sure leftover food is completely cooled before putting it in the fridge.
Headed out of town this holiday season?
Your home still uses energy, even when you aren’t there. Take these steps before you leave town to save:
Adjust your thermostat: Lower your thermostat – but don’t turn it off! Since no one will be around to feel the heat, you can drop your thermostat lower while you’re out of town.
Monitor the weather: If you use a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the temperature in your home if extreme weather hits while you’re away. You can also turn up your heat right before you come home so you arrive at a warm house.
Turn off and unplug: Unplug any unnecessary electronics and turn off lights that aren’t needed while you’re away. If you like to leave lights on when you aren’t home, consider using a timer.
You can look back on last year’s holiday energy usage in your home with our free Bill Analyzer Tool. Review your bill history, see what uses the most energy in your home and find ways to save. Learn more at dteenergy.com/staywarm.
