Whether it’s a short weekend escape, an extended overseas adventure or a military deployment, you’ve packed your bags and are ready to depart.
Before you close the door behind you, have you thought about extra ways to cut costs while your home sits empty?
Follow these pre-trip suggestions to avoid wasting money on a vacant residence and travel with one less thing to worry about.
5 Steps to Take Before You Leave Your Home Empty
When your house will be unoccupied for a while, you should:
- Set your thermostat appropriately.
- Keep the refrigerator stocked for efficiency.
- Shut off your water supply.
- Unplug phantom power consumers.
- Secure your home and incoming deliveries.
Here are simple approaches to help you hang on to more money while you’re away from home.
1. Adjust the Thermostat — But Don’t Turn It Off Completely
Why heat or cool a home you won’t be using? You can trim significant energy expenses by tweaking your thermostat a few degrees before leaving, says a Duke Energy representative, Ana Gibbs.
“A few degrees lower or higher can make a notable difference. Adjusting the thermostat by roughly 3 degrees daily can save around 30%,” Gibbs explained. If you have a programmable thermostat, switch it to vacation mode for convenience.
Regarding fans, choose the “Auto” setting for extended absences, Gibbs advises. Leaving the fan at “On” could add as much as $25 to your monthly bill.
Tempting as it is to turn the thermostat off entirely during extreme weather, that can backfire.
Letting electronics bake in a hot house can shorten battery life, and in cold weather turning the heat off raises the risk of frozen pipes. And nobody wants to come back from vacation to an unbearably hot or icy home.
2. Keep the Refrigerator Stocked
This advice may seem odd — you probably clean out leftovers so the fridge doesn’t smell before you leave. But a fuller refrigerator operates more efficiently, Gibbs says.
“If you don’t usually keep it well-stocked, fill containers with water or ice trays,” she recommended. One exception: if you’ll be gone four weeks or more, empty the fridge and unplug it.
3. Shut Off the Water
You went away to lounge at a pool, not come back to one in your house. Turn off the main water supply before you go to avoid coming home to burst pipes or an overflowing toilet.
Make sure this cost-saving move doesn’t introduce other issues.
“Turning off the main water without shutting off the electric water heater can cause the heater to ‘dry fire’ and ruin its heating elements if you’re gone a long time,” warns Paul Abrams, director of public relations at Roto-Rooter Plumbing and Drain Services.
If you have a conventional storage tank water heater, turn it off at the breaker; otherwise it will continue heating the tank’s water, wasting energy, Abrams says.
If you’re uneasy about completely cutting the water, at least shut off the valve to your washing machine. “That reduces the chance of flooding from a burst washer hose — the top cause of accidental home flooding,” Abrams said.
4. Unplug Phantom Power Users
No garlic or wooden stakes required to keep energy vampires at bay.
Energy vampires are devices that draw power even when switched off — and they can quietly inflate your electric bill. Examples include TVs, DVD players, gaming consoles, coffee makers and rechargeable toothbrushes.
Is unplugging everything a bit bothersome? Yes. But these standby loads can account for up to 20% of your monthly electricity costs.
5. Secure Your Home and Deliveries
Nothing spoils a trip like returning to find your home burglarized. Beyond the basics — lock all doors and windows — be mindful of signs that advertise your absence, especially on longer trips.
Piles of packages and overflowing mail on your stoop shout “vacant.” Hold your mail through the US Postal Service or ask a neighbor or friend to collect parcels.
Lights that are off all night also attract unwanted attention. Use timers on lamps or, if you have smart home systems, schedule lights to come on for several hours each evening.
Vacations are meant for relaxing and recharging so you return refreshed. By planning ahead and following a few practical tips before you leave, you’ll reduce stress and save money — maybe even enough to fund your next getaway.
