Just the thought of going on vacation can bring up pleasant thoughts of time away from your regular daily grind. Planning a holiday is very exciting and fun.
There are many different details that you will need to add to your to-do list. Some of the things you will want to add are the clothes you will be packing for your getaway, what season you will be traveling in, and what destination you want to visit.
It’s a good idea to note the date that you will be leaving on your vacation and put it on your calendar. You might even want to have a countdown for the days that are left until you go on your holiday.
However, it is also essential to make a note of the small details that you will need to attend to. For example, while you are gone, you will want your house to be as energy efficient as you can make it.
Helpful Energy Tips While On Vacation
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In this article, we will be discussing some energy-saving tips to help you lower your energy costs effectively while on vacation.
A significant part of your monthly budget can be taken up by energy bills. Fortunately, you can lower those costs while you are away on vacation. Some people think that since they won’t be home using their HVAC system or turning on appliances, their energy usage will go down automatically. This belief is true to a large extent. However, there is still much more that can be done to increase the energy efficiency of your house while you are gone.
How To Cool Or Heat Your House While You Are Gone On Vacation
While you are away from your house, you do not need to run your central air conditioner at its regular temperature. You can turn the thermostat off in the summer.
During the winter, you might not want to turn your heating system off completely. Instead, set it to around 50 degrees. If you do that, it will ensure that your appliances and pipes don’t freeze.
If your HVAC system has a programmable thermostat, it can be programmed to ensure that your house is comfortable on the day that your return from your vacation. Make sure to close the blinds and curtains in your home. Doing that will ensure that there is minimal heat that is lost during the winter and gained during the summer.
Make Sure To Adjust Your Hot Water Heater Before You Leave
Many people forget to turn the water heater off when they go away on vacation. During the winter, it might be a good idea to turn the water heater down to its lowest setting. During the summer, turn the gas valve or circuit breaker off to shut down the water heater. Then, when you return from your vacation, let the water run for some time to make sure that there is water in the pipes and tank before turning on your water heater.
These essential, yet simple energy efficiency tips will help keep the energy usage down in your house while you are gone on your holiday. When your next energy bill comes, you will appreciate those savings.
What To Do With Your Electric Gadgets And Appliances
The refrigerator uses a lot of electricity. If you are planning to be gone for several weeks, then it is a good idea to empty your fridge. Clean it, and keep the door open until it has dried completely. Put a box of baking soda inside of your refrigerator to prevent mold from growing and manage any moisture that is inside. If you are going to only be gone for a couple of days, clean out all of the perishables from the fridge and set its temperature to around 40 degrees. Turn your freezer down to 5 degrees.
Even when gadgets and appliances are turned off, they still use some electricity. They need to be unplugged to make sure they don’t use any power. To do this, go through room by room in your home and unplug each appliance and gadget.
The television, computer, and gaming console are some of the gadgets that people might forget to unplug before they go away from home on vacation.
When your appliances are unplugged, it also helps to keep your house protected from power surges that might set a fire off. Finally, buy an automatic light timer instead of leaving a couple of lights on to ensure that your house looks like it is occupied.
Conclusion
For a trusted and reliable HVAC company that offers high-quality cooling and heating solutions, give PFO Heating & Air Conditioning a call.
We provide honest prices and expert HVAC services. Our team of NATE certified technicians are experienced to work on all models and makes of HVAC systems.
Also, we offer home comfort services that include installations of whole house generators, heating oil deliveries, and more. When you work with PFO Heating & Air Conditioning, you can rely on us to go out of our way to ensure that your visit with us is pleasant. Your total satisfaction is guaranteed.
To learn more, give us a call today!
Click here to contact us now at (800) 253-9001 to find out more!