Coming back to a safe and sound home following a winter getaway is essential. Who wants to return to a house that’s been ransacked or in need of a long list of repairs? Maintaining energy efficiency is necessary while on vacation to ensure you’re not paying too much to heat an empty house. Check out the following tips concerning what needs to be done before embarking on that skiing or other winter getaway:
- Heating: Keeping your heat turned up is pointless while you’re away, even if you have pets in the house. Ask your veterinarian, if necessary, to determine a good heat setting for your animals. If should be several degrees lower than your home comfort temperature. Whether you have pets or not, you should program your thermostat at a significantly lower temperature before leaving, as every degree you turn your heat down saves 2-3 percent on your energy bill.
- If you haven’t already done so this fall, schedule a fall tuneup on your furnace or heating system before you leave for your winter trip. This will give you peace of mind knowing your equipment is operating safely and efficiently.
- Lights: Use timers on a few internal lights to give the appearance of being home. Unplug any other lamps you will not be needing, because they are still using energy when plugged in, even if otherwise turned off. Exterior motion sensor lights are especially effective at keeping would-be burglars at bay.
- Electronics/Appliances: As with unused lamps, electronics and appliances that remain plugged in when not in use are working as “energy vampires” that will only increase your electric bill. Walk around your home and unplug everything that won’t require use while you’re on vacation – toasters, gaming and entertainment systems, electric razors, coffeemakers, cell phone chargers and digital clocks. However, you may consider leaving a radio plugged in, timed to go off at certain times.
- Driveway: Make it look like someone is there by asking a trusted neighbor to park in your driveway while you enjoy your winter getaway. You may also want to ask this person to handle your mail so it doesn’t pile up. If not, put a temporary hold on mail and newspapers until you get back.
These are just some of the things you can do to maintain a safe and sound home. For more home tips, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. We have been serving the Dayton and Springfield area since 1978.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about home safety and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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