There’s nothing like spending Thanksgiving your own Central Ohio home! And if you’re smart about your energy use, you’ll have money left for those Black Friday sales. Here are some great ways to keep your utility costs to a minimum!
Special thanks to Mike and Mary Louise Metzger of National Home Inspection Service for sharing these tips with us! We’ve edited them a bit for space, and added some thoughts of our own.
1. Skip preheating your oven when roasting poultry or ham. These low-and-slow meats cook fine without preheating.
2. No peeking! Avoid the temptation to repeatedly open the oven door to check cooking progress. Your oven loses at least 25 degrees every time you open it. Follow recommended cooking times and temperatures for your meats; use a meat thermometer to confirm doneness.
3. Space your oven racks far enough apart to cook sides or desserts while your roast is finishing up. Be sure to allow enough space between pans for proper cooking.
4. If cooking on an electric stovetop, match the size of the pan to the heating element. A small pan on a larger burner will waste about 40% of the burner’s energy.
5. Microwave ovens use about 50% less energy than a conventional oven. Use your microwave for steaming vegetables, baking yams, and cooking small casseroles.
6. Slow cookers are another great option for your side dishes. A typical crock-pot only uses about 17 cents worth of electricity!
7. Your refrigerator accounts for as much as 15% of your energy use. The more you open the door, the harder it has to work. It’s more energy-efficient to open the door for a longer period, such as when you’re putting leftovers away, than it is to repeatedly open and close the door. If you’re expecting a houseful of thirsty guests, consider using a cooler for grab-and-go beverages.
8. Lots of leftovers? It’s okay to have a full refrigerator and freezer – but make sure it isn’t packed so tightly that cold air can’t circulate.
9. Clean up on the cheap. If you’re washing dishes by hand, fill a sink basin for washing and fill the other basin for rinsing – do not continually run the faucet. This old-fashioned way of doing dishes actually uses less energy than running a dishwasher!
10. If you have a dishwasher, avoid running it unless you have a full load. If you rinse your dishes prior to loading them, use cold water. Use natural vinegar as your dishwasher rinse. It enhances cleaning – meaning you won’t have to pre-rinse your dishes as much – and it’s a “green” answer to chemical rinse products.
We hope you find these energy-saving tips useful! And when you’re buying a home in Metro Columbus, you can turn to us for expert advice!
As your Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we serve your best interests at all times. Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interest at all times.
Understanding this distinction could literally save you thousands of dollars not only on the purchase price and terms, but also on seller concessions and home inspection issues, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced homeowner!
Contact us with your home buying questions! Remember, we are with you every step of the way…all the way home!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Andrew Show
Broker, CEBA, CEBA-M, CNE, CSP, ABR-M, e-PRO, GREEN
Buyer’s Resource Realty Services
Serving Metro Columbus, Ohio with Exclusive Buyer’s Agents
7100 North High Street, Suite 204, Worthington, Ohio 43085
614-888-4110 | 888-888-4110 Toll Free | 614-839-4110 Fax
