Save Energy at Home While You Unwind on Vacation 

With spring break and summer on the horizon, you might be planning a weekend getaway or long vacation. Before you head on your way, be sure all of your boxes are checked – like locking up, stopping the mail or asking a friend to check in while you’re gone. 

Did you know there are ways you can save energy during your trip? Taking some simple steps before you leave can go a long way in avoiding wasted electricity and saving some energy dollars while you’re away from home. Add these energy-saving tasks to your vacation checklist:

Unplug 

From electronics and appliances to lights and fans, do a walkthrough before leaving and unplug as many devices as possible. Many devices continue to draw power even when they’re turned off, so unplugging is an easy way to reduce energy consumption. This includes phone chargers that are plugged in but not actively charging.

Timers 

Even though you’re unplugging many items throughout your home, it’s still smart to leave a light or two on while you’re away. You might have outdoor security lights, too. However, there’s no need to keep your house lit 24/7. Using timers to make sure your lights are turned off during the day is an easy and effective way to save energy and money. 

Adjust Water Heater Temperature

Water heating typically accounts for 18% of your home’s energy use. Even when you’re gone, your water heater will continue to heat water unnecessarily. Turn the temperature down or put it in “vacation mode” if your unit offers that feature. 

Program Your Thermostat 

Speaking of vacation mode, your programmable or smart thermostat may come with this feature, too. Vacation mode will allow you to set the day you’re leaving and returning home, and the thermostat will automatically adjust to your normal settings when you get back. This helps manage energy used for heating or cooling while no one is home.

Have a wonderful trip! For more tips and resources to save energy and money all year, visit firstenergycorp.com/saveenergy.