Beatrice Lang
If you're going on vacation, there are several ways to save electricity (and money) while you're away. Heating and cooling account for about 50% of monthly energy bills, so adjusting your thermostat can make a significant difference. If you have a smart thermostat, set it to 'away' or 'eco' mode. If you have a manual thermostat, adjust it a few degrees cooler — a change of just three degrees for 24 hours can save 30% on heating costs. During the warmer months, set the thermostat to 80–85 degrees to save on air conditioning. During the colder months, set it to about 55 degrees to save on heating. You should also turn down your water heater to vacation mode — water heating can account for 14–25% of the energy consumed in the home. Before you leave, unplug any electronics that could be using phantom power, even when they are turned off or in sleep mode, such as TVs, computers, and gaming consoles.
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What You'll Learn
Unplug electronics and appliances to avoid phantom loads
Unplugging your appliances and electronics before going on vacation is a great way to save energy and money. Even when they are turned off, some devices continue to draw power when plugged in. These are called phantom loads, and they can make up to 10% of your electricity bill! Examples of devices that can act as phantom loads include TVs, computers, gaming consoles, coffee makers, cable boxes, and chargers.
To avoid paying for phantom loads while you're on vacation, unplug your devices before you leave. If you have a lot of devices plugged into the same power strip, it can be a hassle to unplug each one individually. In that case, you can simply unplug the power strip itself, cutting power to all the devices connected to it. This also makes it easier to turn the power back on when you return from your trip.
If you don't want to unplug all your devices manually, you can invest in a smart power strip or smart power bar. These devices automatically cut power to secondary outlets when the main device is powered down. Some smart power strips even allow you to control your devices remotely and track their energy usage.
In addition to unplugging devices, there are a few other simple steps you can take to save energy while on vacation. For example, you can adjust your thermostat to an energy-saving temperature or use the "`Vacation`" mode if your thermostat has that feature. You can also fill up your fridge and freezer with jugs of water or turn them off completely if you're going to be away for a month or more.
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Adjust your thermostat to an energy-saving temperature
Adjusting your thermostat to an energy-saving temperature is a great way to save energy and money while on vacation.
If you have a smart or programmable thermostat, set it to 'away', 'vacation', or 'eco' mode. This will ensure your home is kept at an energy-saving temperature while you are away. Some smart thermostats can even override your pre-existing schedule, which is beneficial if you forget to adjust the settings before leaving.
If you have a manual thermostat, adjust the temperature just a few degrees cooler. Even a change of just three degrees for 24 hours a day can save up to 30% on your heating costs. During the warmer months, set the thermostat to 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit to save energy on air conditioning. Do not set the temperature higher than 85 degrees or turn off the air conditioning completely, as this can cause humidity to build up and damage your appliances and electronics.
During the colder months, set the thermostat to about 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This will save energy and help prevent your pipes from freezing. Do not set the temperature lower than 55 degrees to avoid the risk of frozen pipes.
Additionally, consider adjusting the thermostats in your refrigerator and freezer to further optimize energy usage. Setting the refrigerator to 4 degrees Celsius and the freezer to -18 degrees Celsius can help maintain the ideal temperature for food storage while saving energy.
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Turn off fans and lights
Turning off fans and lights is a simple yet effective way to reduce your energy bill while on vacation. This is because electrical appliances can act as 'energy vampires', sucking power even when they are not in use. This phenomenon is known as 'phantom loads'.
Before you leave for your vacation, make sure all fans are turned off. This includes ceiling fans, which can be a great way to save energy during the summer and winter months, but will only waste energy if left on while you are away. If you have a smart thermostat, you can set it to 'away' or 'eco' mode, which will automatically adjust the temperature to an energy-saving level when you are not home. You can also set the fan to 『auto』 instead of 『on』 to save up to $25 a month.
Lights should also be turned off before you leave for vacation. However, for security reasons, it is recommended to keep some lights on timers. These timers allow you to program lights to come on and off during certain parts of the day, so it looks like someone is home. Smart timers or Wi-Fi-connected lamps also allow you to control your lights remotely from your smartphone. For any lights that are kept on or on a timer, use LED bulbs, as these are made to run for extended periods without overheating, unlike incandescent bulbs, which can get hot and potentially start a fire.
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Put your water heater on vacation mode
If you're going on vacation, it's a good idea to put your water heater on vacation mode. This setting reduces your water heater's energy consumption by running the boiler at a lower temperature, usually around 50°F. This temperature is cool enough to save energy but hot enough to prevent any water from freezing and causing damage while you're away.
To set your water heater to vacation mode, start by locating the thermostat. Scroll through the menu to see if your water heater offers a vacation mode setting. If it does, simply select it, and the system will take care of the rest. If your water heater doesn't have a vacation mode setting, you can manually adjust the temperature to resemble vacation mode. Turn the dial to "Pilot" mode or lower the temperature to 50°F, or the lowest setting your thermostat allows.
It's important to note that if you have an electric water heater, you may need to flip the breakers off instead of putting it in vacation mode. Additionally, if you're going to be away for an extended period, it might be wise to empty your water heater and unplug it to prevent any potential issues.
When you return from your vacation, simply turn the dial back to its usual state, and hot water will be available shortly. It's also a good idea to check for any unusual noises, leaks, or issues with the hot water supply after reactivating your water heater. If you notice any problems, it's best to contact a professional for assistance.
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Set lamps on timers
Setting lamps on timers is a great way to save electricity while on vacation. Timers allow you to program lamps to turn on and off during certain parts of the day, creating the illusion that someone is home, which can deter potential intruders. This is especially useful if you will be away for an extended period.
There are a variety of timer options available, from mechanical timers that are built into lamps to smart timers or Wi-Fi-connected lamps that can be controlled remotely from your smartphone. These smart options allow you to turn lights on and off from anywhere, providing peace of mind and flexibility during your vacation.
When using timers, it is recommended to use LED bulbs. LED bulbs are designed to run for extended periods without overheating, making them a safer option compared to incandescent bulbs, which can pose a fire risk if left on for too long. Additionally, LED bulbs consume less energy, helping you save even more on your electricity bill while you're away.
By setting your lamps on timers and combining it with the use of LED bulbs, you can effectively reduce electricity usage, lower your energy costs, and enhance the security of your home while you're on vacation. This simple step can make a significant difference in your energy consumption and provide you with added peace of mind during your time away.
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Frequently asked questions
Unplug all electrical appliances that are not in use, such as TVs, computers, and gaming consoles. These appliances can drain energy even when they are turned off or in sleep mode.
Adjust your thermostat to a lower temperature so you're not wasting energy heating an empty home. If you have a smart thermostat, set it to 'away' or 'eco' mode. If you have a manual thermostat, adjust it a few degrees cooler—this will have a significant impact on your heating costs.
Turn off all fans and lights. For security, you can set a few lamps on timers so that it looks like someone is home.
