Power Down for Vacation

Heading out for a summer getaway? Even if the reservations are made and the bags are packed, you aren’t ready to go just yet! Before you lock up the house, follow these easy steps to make sure your house takes an energy vacation while you are gone.

• Unplug appliances. Well, maybe not the refrigerator. But anything with a clock—like your stove, microwave or coffee pot—all draw power.
• Shut down the entertainment systems. Televisions, cable boxes and gaming consoles are among the most power hungry devices in your home.
• Use timers. Don’t leave lights on all day to give the appearance that you’re still at home. Use timers to limit lights to a 4 or 5 hour period.
• Patrol the house for chargers. Don’t leave laptop and phone charges plugged in when not in use; though small in size, these modern necessities can be a big consumer of power.
• Turn off televisions and radios. It’s unlikely the sound will deter a burglar, and you’ll instead be a victim to higher-than-necessary power bills.
• Turn your thermostat up or off. Depending on how long you plan to be gone, turning your thermostat up a few degrees—or off completely—can save big. But only turn the air conditioner off if you plan to be gone for a week or more. Otherwise, it could take more energy than you saved over a long weekend to make your house comfortable again.
• Close your blinds. Keep shades and blinds closed to fight solar gain, the heat caused by sunlight entering your home.

By following these simple steps, you might just be able to justify an extra splurge or two during your time away, since you’ll be saving so much extra energy and money at home!

Do you have any other tips for saving energy while you’re away? We’d like to hear from you, so share your tips on the Youtility^SM Facebook page.