Priscilla Knight 2016-05-20 13:57:36
Before going on vacation, whether for a long weekend or several months, prepare your home beforehand. It doesn’t need to use as much energy as usual, but it does need to be safe and secure.
Turn off lamps and lights, but for security set a few to come on at night with timers. CFL and LED bulbs save more energy than incandescent bulbs and they last longer. A light sensor on an outdoor lamp post will turn bulbs on at dusk and shut them off at dawn. Solar-powered garden lights will do the same and they’re easy to install. For extra protection, install motion-detector floodlights to startle a would-be burglar.
Reset the Air Conditioner to a temperature just sufficient to control humidity and protect pets and plants. For each degree set higher, you’ll save 2-3 percent on the cooling portion of your electric bill. If you turn off your AC, keep in mind that the hotter your house becomes, the more energy your refrigerator and freezer will use to keep food cold.
Adjust the refrigerator temperature from 40 degrees to 42. Food will stay cold when no one is opening the door.
Adjust the water heater. Turn an electric water heater down or turn a gas water heater dial to “vacation.” Leave yourself a note to turn the unit back on or up when you return home.
Unplug sensitive appliances and devices. Powerful summer thunderstorms can damage sensitive home appliances and devices. Unplug the microwave oven, computers, printers, televisions, DVD players, and other electronic devices. Make it easy by plugging “neighbor” devices into a power strip and turning it off.
Close window treatments to block hot solar rays. If you don’t have treatments, cover windows with white sheets and thumbtacks. White shades, blinds, and white-lined curtains reflect the most rays.
Extra Home Security Measures
• Plug a radio into a timer to play on and off throughout the day.
• Ask the post office to hold your mail and suspend newspaper deliveries. Or ask a neighbor to collect delivered items for you.
• Hire someone to mow your lawn.
• Give a trusted neighbor your contact information and a house key in case there is a home emergency.
• Ask the police to check your home.
• Do not let burglars know you’re not at home by posting vacation photos and updates on social media.
NOVEC wishes you and your home an energy-smart, secure vacation.
For more energy-saving ideas, visit www.novec.com/save.
©Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC). View All Articles.