Saving on Energy Bills When You’re Away from Home
Goodbye school and hello vacation! With kids officially out of school and the weather finally warm, it’s time for vacations. When you’re away from home this summer, you’ll want to take action to help save on energy bills. We’ve put together a list of ways you can lower your energy bills when you’re not home.
Program Your Thermostat
Why keep your home at your normal desired temperature if you aren’t there? Whenever you leave for a long period of time, you should set your thermostat at a higher temperature (during summer) and a lower temperature (during winter). This simple action can save you a significant amount on your utility bill.
If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, you can set it to ‘vacation’ mode, and it will control everything for you when you’re away. You can enjoy your vacation without worrying about your home’s temperature
Unplug Appliances and Electronics
Did you know that appliances and electronics use energy when they’re plugged in, even if they’re not in use? You can unplug appliances like coffee makers, microwaves, and toasters. Some electronics you can unplug are computers, tv’s, and printers. You may notice a decrease in your energy bill when you unplug these appliances and electronics, helping you save money for other things.
You’ll also want to make sure all lights and fans are turned off. It’s easy to accidentally leave a ceiling fan on, so double-check everything is turned off before you leave for vacation.
Turn Down the Water Heater
With no one being home to enjoy the warm water, there’s no reason to keep it so warm. Like thermostats, some water heaters have a ‘vacation’ mode that you can use while away from home.
Have Lights on Timers
For security purposes, many people like to have lights on in their home while they’re away. Rather than having a light on at all hours of the day, you can put one on a timer. That way, the light will turn on once it starts getting dark outside and turn off as the sun starts coming up. You’ll still be able to have some peace of mind knowing there are lights on in your home that make it look like someone is home while you’re away.
Keep Window Coverings Closed
During the summer months, the sun can heat up a house quickly. To prevent your AC from needing to turn on often, you can keep your blinds or curtains closed.
Keep Refrigerator Half-Full
You might think about throwing away all the food in your fridge before you leave for vacation, but keeping your fridge stocked actually helps it stay colder than if it were empty.
There are definitely items you’ll want to get rid of before your trip, but if there are items that last a while, you should keep them. If you have nothing that will stay good while you’re away, you can fill water bottles and place them in your fridge. Having items in your fridge will help you use less energy, resulting in your energy bill being lower.