Whether you’re hitting the slopes up north or heading off to somewhere warm and sunny to defrost from the Massachusetts cold, your winter vacation is probably one of the highlights of the season.
But when you’re away from home in the winter, it can be difficult to know what to do with your house’s heating system and water. You don’t want to waste money on heating an empty house, but you also don’t want your home to get so cold that your pipes are at risk to freeze and burst.
Here are some useful tips to help you save money and protect your home at the same time.
4 Tips to Save Energy On Winter Vacation
Get Smart
A simple and quick way to save energy all of the time–not just when you’re on vacation–is with a smart thermostat. You can program your smart thermostat to change the heat levels based on times and days when your house is empty.
For instance, if you know no one is home all day every Wednesday and Friday, you can have your thermostat turn the heat down for those recurring days. And when you’re on vacation, you can lower or raise your heat temperatures from your smartphone, no matter where you are! So whether you’re skiing the summit or basking on the beach, you have total control.
Keep It Low
This may seem obvious, but when you’re on vacation, you can turn your home’s thermostat down to save money on heating bills. Just make sure not to turn it down too much! If the water in your home’s pipes freezes, it could burst the pipes and turn into a disaster. The last thing you want to come home to is thousands of dollars of water damage.
It is safe to keep your home at 60 degrees when you’re away.
Another perk of a smart thermostat? You can remotely turn the heat back on the day before you arrive so your home is nice and toasty when you get back.
Turn Down the Tank
You probably knew to turn your heat down when you’re gone, but most people forget to turn down the water tank, too. Before you leave for vacation, turn down the thermostat on your water heater to save money, too.
Turn Off Lights and Appliances
Right before you head out for your trip, do one last check around the house to make sure lights and appliances are unplugged and/or turned off, depending on the item. This will save money on your energy bills because some appliances still draw power when they are turned off but plugged in. So be extra thorough before you leave and make sure you’re not wasting energy while you are gone!
Want to Save On Your HVAC Bills?
If you want to lower your homes heating and cooling costs, give Evolved Mechanical a call or email today. We can help make your home more efficient, saving your money on your utility bills!