5 easy ways to save energy this Thanksgiving

Happy multi-ethnic friends and family are laughing and enjoying a festive meal together at home

Thanksgiving can take a lot of energy. Between planning, grocery shopping, cooking, hosting, and tackling the dishes afterward, keeping an eye on your household energy use probably isn’t at the top of your to-do list. The good news? Saving energy doesn’t have to take much effort. A few small choices throughout the weekend can help you cut back on the energy you use so you can save yours for what really matters.

1. Unplug when you’re done

Thanksgiving can put your kitchen appliances to work. The coffee maker starts the morning, the stand mixer helps with dessert, and the air fryer might get called in when you run out of room in the oven.

As you finish using small appliances, unplug them rather than leaving them plugged in. Some appliances — especially those with electronic displays — can continue to draw small amounts of electricity even when they’re turned off, so unplugging what you’re no longer using is an easy habit to get into.

2. Unplug when you’re done

When everyone’s gathered in the kitchen, around the table, or catching up in the living room, take a quick look around. Is the TV still playing in an empty room? Are there electronics running that no one is actually using?

Turn off TVs, gaming consoles, lights, and other devices when they’re not needed. Besides, the best Thanksgiving background noise might just be the people around you.

3. Let sweater weather do some of the work

Thanksgiving arrives around the time cozy sweater season really starts to settle in. Take advantage of it by turning your thermostat down a degree or two and reaching for your favourite sweater instead.

It’s a small change that can add up over time. Lowering your thermostat by just 1°C for eight hours a day can save about 2% on your heating energy consumption.

And if you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, a busy kitchen and a house full of guests can add a little extra warmth anyway.

4. Choose entertainment that doesn’t plug in

After dinner, give the TV and gaming consoles a night off. Instead of settling in for a movie or firing up a video game, pull out a board game or deck of cards, head outside for a post-dinner walk, or simply stick around the table a little longer.

Turning off your entertainment electronics for the evening means using a little less electricity — and gives you a good excuse to spend some uninterrupted time with the people you’re celebrating with.

5. Check what you’re paying for energy

Before the cooking, company, and chaos begin, pour yourself a coffee and take five minutes to look at your current energy plan.

Check your current energy rates, whether you’re on a fixed or floating plan, and what you’re paying in administration fees. Comparing your options now could help you find a plan that better fits your household, and potentially save you money long after the leftovers are gone.

With Encor by EPCOR, you can choose between competitive fixed and floating electricity and natural gas plans, with the flexibility to switch between them without penalty.

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