A cozier, smarter Thanksgiving: Energy efficiency in the kitchen and beyond

As the days grow shorter and colder, kitchens across Oregon fill with aromas of roasting, simmering and baking. For many, late fall is a season of gathering — whether that means hosting a holiday feast, inviting neighbors over for a shared meal or simply cooking a warm dinner for yourself.

Big meals and busy homes also mean more energy use. Appliances work harder, lights stay on longer and the heat may be running to keep everyone comfortable. The good news? A few small shifts in how you cook, heat and clean can make a real difference. These Thanksgiving energy efficiency tips can help you stretch your dollars and ease the strain on your home’s energy use, while keeping your space welcoming — whatever the season looks like for you.

Cook smarter, not longer

When your oven is in near-constant use, a little strategy goes a long way.

• Fill it up. Try cooking multiple dishes at once if they need similar temperatures. Every time you open the oven door, heat escapes, so check progress through the lighted oven window instead.

• Hold the heat. Glass or ceramic bakeware retains heat well, meaning you can often set the oven about 25 degrees lower without changing cooking times.

• Use residual warmth. Once you’ve turned the oven off, crack the door to let the leftover heat spill into your kitchen.

Stovetop shortcuts

Not everything needs the oven. Your stovetop and smaller appliances can carry more of the load.

• Size matters. Match your pots and pans to the burner size — a small pan on a big burner wastes heat.

• Lid up. Keeping lids on pots helps food cook faster while holding in moisture.

• Think small. Microwaves, slow cookers, air fryers and toaster ovens use less energy than heating a full-size oven.

Keep comfort in balance

Cooking all day? Your home will naturally heat up. These tips help you stay comfortable without extra energy use:

• Turn the thermostat down before guests arrive. Extra bodies and oven heat will warm the space.

• Reverse ceiling fans. Set them to spin clockwise on low to gently push warm air down.

• Layer up. Sweaters and slippers are cozy — and more efficient — than bumping up the heat.

Save energy while cleaning up

After cooking comes cleanup. These shifts make dish duty easier on your wallet:

• Run your dishwasher only when it’s full. If you’re on Time of Day pricing, try running it during off-peak hours to save even more.

• Skip pre-rinsing. Today’s dishwashers are designed to handle it.

• Choose air dry or “eco” settings instead of heated dry.

Light the way mindfully

Shorter days often mean using more lights. Keep your glow efficient:

• Switch to LEDs. They use up to 90% less energy and last longer.

• Add timers. Automatic shutoffs mean you won’t forget to turn lights off after the gathering ends.

• Mix in natural light. LED candles or an open curtain at sunset can create warmth without extra electricity.

Caring for yourself, your budget and the planet

For some, this season is filled with celebrations. For others, it’s quieter — or marked by grief, stress or financial strain. However you spend these colder months, energy savings can support both your budget and your peace of mind.

Small changes in the kitchen and around the house not only lower costs, they also help keep energy reliable for your community. That’s something we can all be thankful for.

And if you’d like ideas personalized for your home, check your PGE customer dashboard. You’ll find tailored recommendations to help you save energy in ways that fit your space and lifestyle — through the holidays and beyond.