It's almost turkey time! Here are some energy-saving tips for prepping Thanksgiving dinner according to  the U.S. Department of Energy:

• Use the oven light to peek on your bird, because each time you open the oven door its temperature decreases about 25 degrees. 
• Use your slow cooker on dishes that take hours to cook since they use significantly less energy than a stovetop.
• Take out all ingredients from the fridge at the same time so you're not opening and closing it often. Open fridge doors account for about 10% of the appliance’s total energy use.
• Match the size of your pan to the size of your burner. If your pan is six inches in diameter and you're cooking on an eight-inch burner, more than 40% of your heat will be wasted.
• Use your microwave when possible; it uses less energy than your oven.
• Wait for leftovers to cool down before stashing in the fridge to reduce the load on your refrigerator. 
• When the meal is over, using an ENERGY STAR^®-certified dishwasher uses almost half as much energy as handwashing your pots and pans.

Making a few of these small changes throughout the holiday season can save you from increased utility bill worries so you can focus on spending time with family and friends.

Your basement may serve as your home’s storage area, an extra play space for the kids or even your  laundry room … but basements are also a major source of wasted energy usage.

In their latest blog, experts from the U.S. Department of Energy say making some quick and low-cost basement improvements will save on energy usage, may make your home more comfortable and usable, can improve indoor air quality and will save you money on your utility bills.

• Inspect and explore your basement or crawlspace from floor to ceiling and identify any air leaks caused by gaps or holes surrounding pipes, vents, wiring, doors or windows. 
• Fill small gaps with caulk. Holes up to three inches in diameter can be repaired with insulating spray foam.
• Install energy-efficient LEDs in your basement lighting fixtures.

If you decide to embark on a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^® (HPwES) project for some of these tips, you could see savings last for years. HPwES projects can save you $500 annually*! Read about other minor improvements you can make to get your basement as energy-efficient as possible here.

*Estimates of energy savings are generalized, and no particular amount of energy savings is promised or guaranteed.

A QHEC+ is a $49 energy assessment from NJNG's The SAVEGREEN Project^®. Our experts will walk through your home and show you how to reduce your energy usage and lower your energy bills. We’ll also help customers get a jumpstart on energy efficiency by installing free energy-saving products like LEDs and low-flow showerheads. We’ll perform additional diagnostic tests to help identify where your energy may be escaping in your home, and we can even install smart thermostats purchased through the NJNG Marketplace.** You’ll get a detailed report with recommendations about how to proceed with installing new lighting fixtures, windows and doors, insulation, HVAC equipment and more. Read more about scheduling a QHEC+ on the SAVEGREEN website.

**Terms and conditions apply.