10 home energy tips for your vacation
Home Energy Tips to Save Money While You’re Away
The point of taking a vacation is to relax. But you may not be able to rest and refresh if you’re worrying about the energy your home is consuming while the house is empty. Use these ten home tips for your vacation to save money, unwind while you are gone and feel secure in your ability to change thermostat programming from your mobile device.
1. Use your Sensi thermostat
Set a vacation schedule on your Sensi thermostat, use the new Geofencing feature or program remotely to decrease heating and cooling of your home while you are away.
2. Using blinds
Windows are a common source of heat loss and gain in the home. While you are away in the summer plan to keep the blinds closed to minimize heat gain and in the winter keep the heat in by closing the blinds.
3. Window insulation
During the cold months, you lose a lot of heat out of your windows. Before you leave consider putting plastic shrink film on your windows, which adds an extra layer of insulation to prevent heat loss.
4. Light timers
Many people choose to leave a number of lights or the television on while they go on holiday, so burglars are not aware of their absence. Put these appliances on a light timer to lower energy consumption and save money.
5. Water heater temperature
Since no one at your home will need hot water, you may turn down the gas on your water heater to the minimum 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Just remember to turn it up again as needed when you get home.
6. Pool and hot tub temperatures
While no one is home you should lower your pool temperature or hot tub settings and minimize the filter run times.
7. Faucet leaks
A dripping faucet can waste as much as 90 gallons of water per day, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Make sure all faucets are closed tightly before you leave, including washing machines. A burst water hose can be very costly.
8. Turning off toilets.
If your toilet has a slow leak, the bowl could overflow without your attention. Turn off the water to the toilet to prevent wasted water and potential damage to your bathroom.
9. Refrigerator settings.
For longer trips, be sure to empty your refrigerator of all perishables. And, you can safely put the refrigerator at a lower setting while there is no food in it.
10. Vampire electronics
Many pieces of equipment use energy even when they are turned off. Unplug any unnecessary electronics to stop this loss. Learn more about home energy vampires.
Once you are on your vacation, you know that you will enjoy yourself. By following these tips, you will decrease your energy consumption and save money on your utility bills.
