How to Prep Your Home Before a Vacation
Electric, HVAC
Summer is here, and so are family vacations. Amidst all the chaos of packing up the family for a big trip, you might forget to prepare your house to be empty during your vacation. You have the usual to-dos, like pausing the mail and newspaper and scheduling your lights with timers, but what about prepping inside? Here are a few things to put on the vacation checklist for before you leave!
Timers for Indoor and Outdoor Lights
Setting a timer for lights will conserve energy and add a layer of safety to your home while you’re away. Scheduling indoor and outdoor lights to come on at certain times helps with security. You’ll want to make sure you’re using energy-efficient bulbs. LED bulbs can even reduce the amount of heat they give off, reducing the risk for fires and the need for the AC to kick on!
Appliances and Electronics
Your appliance and electronics consume energy even when not in use. Yes, even when an appliance is off but still plugged in, it uses energy and costs you money! Make sure you unplug your TVs, computers, gaming consoles, coffee pots, and microwaves. This will not only save you money but also keep your home safe. Power surges can happen at any time. By unplugging these devices, you’re protecting your devices and your home from the risk of electrical fires. You’ll also want to adjust the temperature in your refrigerator. Assuming you’re tossing anything that will expire after a week or two, most foods can sustain a slightly higher temperature.
Thermostat
Most people adjust their thermostat before leaving, but did you know there’s a magic number to help you conserve even more energy? Setting your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher can help you reduce more energy. In fact, setting your AC to any temperature below 78 degrees costs you 3% to 5% more energy. A programmable or smart thermostat can be helpful for even daily use, and when you’re on your way home, you can start to cool off your home, so it’s the perfect temperature when you walk in!
Window Treatments
Not just for decorative use! This might seem like another obvious one, but closing the blinds and curtains keeps out the sun, thus keeping out extra heat. Keeping your home at a naturally cooler temperature reduces the amount of energy needed to maintain that 78 degrees or higher temperature.
Small things can add up to big differences, especially when you’re gone for extended periods of time. As always, the experts at Black Diamond can help you with any plumbing, sewer, HVAC, or electrical needs you may have!
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