Amid holiday season, here are some smart energy saving tips that could cut costs

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - From decorations to holiday get-togethers, your December energy bills can take a hit.

Shayna Doi from Hawaii Energy joined HNN Sunrise to share some tips that can help you make smarter energy choices this holiday season, which can lead to lower electric bills and a more energy-efficient Hawaii.

In the Kitchen

The holidays are about gathering, which often means more cooking and hosting — two big energy uses. Here are some tips to help:

1. Get creative in the kitchen: Use small appliances like slow cookers, pressure cookers, or toaster ovens. They use less energy than a traditional oven and cook faster too.
2. Run full dishwasher loads: Yes, the dishwasher is generally more eco-friendly! Full loads are more energy-efficient and save you from handwashing dishes.
3. Use ENERGY STAR appliances: If your fridge is from 2011 or before, Google “energy star flip your fridge” to see just how much you’re paying for that fridge’s electricity (it usually comes out to over $300). Hawaii Energy is offering rebates to help you upgrade your refrigerator.

Holiday Lighting

Holiday lighting is such a joyful part of the season, and there are simple ways to keep those lights shining bright without driving up your electric bill:

1. Choose LED lights: They use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer.
2. Use timers: Set timers to keep your lights on only during evening hours. This keeps your decorations festive while saving energy.
3. Upgrade to advanced power strips: These help prevent energy waste by cutting power to devices that aren’t in use.

Conserve hot water

With a full house during the holidays, an additional way to save energy is to conserve hot water. Reduce the energy used to create hot water by taking shorter showers, use cold water when doing laundry, and again, run full loads in your dishwasher.

For additional energy saving tips, available rebates and to learn more about Hawaii Energy, visit hawaiienergy.com.