Getting Your Home Ready for Vacation

It’s summer, it’s hot and while we don’t want to think about it, Back to School season is right around the corner!  That means that many of us are heading out on vacation this month to try and get them in before the hustle and bustle of the fall begins. While going on vacation is relaxing, getting ready for vacation can be anything BUT relaxing!  There are so many things that you have to take care of before you go, from packing, making plans for pets and getting the house ready to be empty while you are gone.

Four Easy Steps to Lower Energy Use While Traveling

Adjust your thermostat. You don’t need to waste energy cooling your home while you’re not there. Heading out on vacation? Turn the A/C off or set the thermostat to 85-87 degrees.

Turn off all fans. If you use fans often in your home, turn them off or unplug them when you leave. Remember— fans cool people, not rooms.

Close your curtains and shades. Even though you’ve already turned up your thermostat, blocking out the sun will keep your home at a more consistent temperature and your HVAC will have even less work to do.

Unplug your electronics. Most of the electronics in your home still use small amounts of power, called phantom power,  even when they’re turned off. So make sure any computers, TVs, game systems, coffee makers, microwaves or other electronics are unplugged before you leave.  All those little blinking lights on your electronics can really add up in energy usage over the course of a year.

Four Super-Saver Tips for Maximum Efficiency

Clean out your refrigerator. If you can, completely empty your refrigerator and unplug it. Just remember to leave the doors open to prevent mildew.

Adjust your water heater. Turn down your water heater to “vacation” or “pilot” mode. Having readily available hot water on tap can account for up to 25 percent of the energy used in your home.

Use automated timers. It’s a good idea to have a few lights on at night to make your home appear occupied while you’re away. But it’s a better idea to put a few lights on timers so that they aren’t wasting electricity during the day. Also, consider installing motion-activated lights outside your home so you don’t have to leave on your outside lights all the time.

Use an automatic timer for your pool. Make sure your pool filter is on a timer. Be sure proper chemical levels are maintained since the two go hand-in-hand.

By utilizing these small tips you will be able to save money on your electric costs while you are not at home, as well as helping keep your home safe while empty.

Happy Travels!

Disclosure: I am a Project Envolve Ambassador, a division of PPL Electric. This is a sponsored post on their behalf but as always, my opinions are 100% my own. #ProjectEnvolve #GetEnvolved