Homeowner Tips

Tips for Saving Energy while on Summer Vacation

“Did I remember to turn the stove off?”
“Did I water the plants?”
“Who will get the mail while we’re gone?”

These are the kinds of questions we ask ourselves as we head out the door for a relaxing summer vacation. But one checklist item that sometimes gets overlooked is our HVAC system.

Some homeowners may not realize that there are several steps you can take to save both energy and money while you’re away this summer. Here are just a few ways to save green while going green while enjoying your next vacation:

Raise the temperature of your thermostat

Raising the temperature of your thermostat while you’re away can help you save money. The Department of Energy recommends adjusting anywhere between 7 to 10 degrees. Then when returning home, use your Sensi mobile app to adjust your temperature back to your normal schedule so that you walk into a comfortable home.

Don’t turn off your air conditioning system

While it may seem tempting to turn off your air conditioning system completely, especially in milder climates, this is never a good idea. Without your air conditioning running, your home can be susceptible to excessive humidity that can allow mold to grow and even attract certain insects. In addition, high temperatures in your home can put extra stress on major appliances such as your refrigerator or freezer, forcing them to work harder.

Beware of energy vampires

It’s too early to be thinking about Halloween, but energy vampires are always lurking this time of year. Appliances utilize a small amount of electricity, even when turned off, so remember to unplug all unnecessary appliances before you leave. These energy vampires can include your coffee maker, headset chargers, laptop computer, TV, cable box, rechargeable toothbrush, and printer.

Lower your electric water heater

Water heaters are among the highest consumer of energy when it comes to appliances in your home. What some don’t realize is that a significant amount of the cost of running a tank-type water heater is due to the energy it consumes to maintain its temperature when no heat is being drawn. To avoid these "standby" losses, set your water heater to vacation mode or to its lowest setting. Just remember to turn back up when you get back home.

For more tips and information, visit the Department of Energy.