Go green when you clean.
ISTOCKPHOTO
Holiday guests dirty up many dishes, but when it's time to clean up, make sure that you're running your dishwasher in the most efficient way possible. Energy efficiency software company OPOWER recommends scraping plates instead of rinsing them with hot water, and making sure the dishwasher is full each time it's run. To save on the costs of heating water, avoid special cycles like pre-rinse and rinse-hold, which can be unnecessary, and stop the dishwasher before it's time to dry—the dishes can air dry, instead.
