Waste fruitcake, not energy

During the holidays, the kitchen is the most happenin’ room in the house. It’s where the egg nog chills and the turkey roasts, and where everyone gravitates to when the party begins.

All that cheer takes a lot of energy to produce, so the California Energy Commission has provided some basic tips for conserving while entertaining:

Cooking/baking: Keep stovetop burners clean and use the correct-sized pan for the size of the burners. Preheat the oven only for bread and pastries, don’t open the oven too much, and bake multiple items at the same time if possible.

Cooling: Don’t open the refrigerator too much. Try to make each trip inside the fridge count by pulling out all the items you need at the same time. And, while a packed fridge will cool down more quickly than a sparse one after the door closes, an overly packed refrigerator won’t allow enough space for cold air to circulate.

Cleaning: Washing dishes by hand is more efficient than using the dishwasher—just don’t leave the water running constantly. If you opt for the machine, run it only once you have a full load.

Source: www.consumerenergycenter.org