When hosting holiday festivities, energy conservation might not be the first thing on your mind. Yet, kitchen appliances can account for up to 20% of the average household's energy use. Try our five wallet-friendly, energy-saving tips this holiday season.

1. Be prepared: Thaw food overnight in the refrigerator and prepare it before heating your oven or stove. Usually, you only need 5 – 8 minutes to preheat your oven. When broiling or roasting, skip preheating completely. This can reduce the time your appliance is on and in use.
2. Slow cooker magic: Opt for recipes you can prepare in the slow cooker. It uses less energy and delivers flavorful results.
3. No-bake delights: Eliminate the need for appliances (and energy!) while satisfying sweet cravings by choosing no-bake desserts like chilled cheesecakes and elegant fruit parfaits.
4. LED ambiance: Set the mood with energy-efficient LED candles and string lights. These charming alternatives create a cozy atmosphere and consume less energy than traditional lighting.
5. Don’t peek: Avoid opening the oven door while cooking. Each time you open the door, heat escapes and warms your home, requiring more energy to return to the desired temperature. Instead, use the oven light to monitor your dishes and remember to turn it off after you look.

Use our free House of Savings augmented reality experience game to find ways to save on your everyday expenses. For each completed play, we'll donate $2 on your behalf to our Care To Share program to assist Floridians in need. Plus, get personalized insights on your energy consumption with our free Energy Manager tool.