Taking a vacation is a great way to get away from it all. Did you know that your appliances and electronic devices can use a little time off as well? With a few simple adjustments before you leave, you’ll come home to a lower energy bill.
- Water heater. If you have a tank unit, your water heater will continue heating water while you are away. Adjust the temperature setting as low as possible to reduce standby heat loss.
- Refrigerator. Your refrigerator is one of the biggest energy users in your home. If you are leaving for a short period, conserve energy by adjusting the thermostats on your refrigerator and freezer to higher settings—38°F for the refrigerator, and 5°F for the freezer. For trips lasting four weeks or more, consider emptying your refrigerator and unplugging it.
- Air conditioner. Why cool an empty house? Turn off your air conditioner or set the thermostat to 85°F or higher. If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to vacation mode; it will conserve energy while you are away and cool your house shortly before you return.
- Lights. Install timers on indoor and outdoor lights and set them to turn the lights on for a few hours each night. This will conserve energy and provide added security by creating the illusion that someone is at home.
- Electronics. While turning off electronic devices saves energy, digital displays and instant-on features continue to use energy whether you are at home or not. Unplug all electronic devices before you leave.
Now you can enjoy your vacation and a smaller energy bill when you get home.
