While your home is in use, it’s normal to see high energy bills from time to time. But when you’re off on your much-needed vacation and the home is vacant, there is no point to drive up energy costs. Although you’ll probably be spending a boatload of money on your trip, this time is a great opportunity to learn how to save energy while on vacation.
Not sure how to make that dream a reality? Check out these energy-saving tips for when you head out on your next adventure:
Unplug Electronics
One of the biggest energy-efficiency mistakes we make is leaving electronics plugged in. Even when you’re not using your PlayStation 4, it still sucks up energy if it’s plugged in. So if you left it plugged in for your two month trip to the Bahamas, you could be dealing with high energy costs when you return. So if you’re heading out on vacation, be sure to turn off (and unplug) your televisions, radios, video game consoles, fans, and everything in between.
Not only can this method help you save on energy costs, it can also help prevent fires or electrical problems while you’re away. Although it may sound like a hassle, this energy-saving tip can allow you to enjoy your vacation without worrying about your home electronics. Furthermore, you’ll surely enjoy your energy savings!
Program Your Thermostat
As you plan where you’ll go on your vacation, it’s important to first think about how to prepare your home for its vacancy. And the first thing on your list should involve your thermostat. If your home will be vacant while you’re gone, there’s no sense to keep your home at a cool 65 degrees. The only thing you’ll be doing is wasting energy and driving up your utility bills.
So before you head out the door, program your thermostat to your desired temperature. Depending on your preference, we recommend setting it to 75 degrees or more. Once you get back home, feel free to crank it down as you wish. This energy-saving tip can do wonders for your energy bills.
Adjust Your Water Heater
While a lot of people remember to set their thermostat and unplug electronics, many homeowners forget to adjust their water heater. Especially if you’re heading out for more than a few days, turning off (or turning down) your water heater will do great things for your energy-efficiency.
Even when hot water isn’t needed in your home, your water heater will continue to heat and store water in the tank. Your water heater doesn’t know you’re on vacation, so it is standing by waiting for the next shower to start. So to save energy and save you money on utility bills, it’s best to turn off your water heater before you head out. Some water heaters even have a “vacation mode” for when these times come up. Make sure to use that mode, turn the temperature down, or turn off your water heater altogether.
Adjust Your Refrigerator and Freezer
Another energy-saving tip for while you’re on vacation involves changing some things up in your refrigerator and freezer. For one, it’s best to keep your refrigerator and freezer fully stocked. Many people don’t realize it, but a fully stocked refrigerator and freezer actually keeps cold better than an empty one. Before you step out on your vacation, make sure to pile stuff in to save on energy.
Don’t want to buy stuff before you head out? You can actually put containers, water bottles, or really anything in there to take up space. Another tip involves turning up the temperature on your refrigerator and freezer. We recommend changing your refrigerator temp to 38 and your freezer temp to 8 degrees. This will allow you to keep energy costs low while keeping your food safe and edible.
We Can Help You Save!
Looking for more answers on how to save energy while on vacation? Then give On Time Electrical a call today! We have top-rated electricians in the Charlotte, NC area who understand how to keep energy costs low. Arriving back home from a vacation is hard enough — a big energy bill would just make matters worse. For more tips on how to save energy while on vacation, give us a call today!