If you’re taking a summer vacation this year, join the crowd.
According to Forbes, six out of 10 Americans are planning to travel at least once this summer, in spite of inflation and gas prices.
We’ve put together five ways to save money on your energy costs so you can worry less and enjoy the trip more.
During the summer, cooling accounts for around half of your home’s energy costs. Turning on your air conditioner to 85°F while away for more than a day will help you save money! Also, turn your smart or programmed thermostat back to your usual temperature several hours before you return home, so it will be cool when you walk in. Closing curtains and blinds can help keep your home from getting too hot and forcing your air conditioning to turn on more frequently. This also prevents people from peeking into your home when you’re not there.
What are energy vampires, and what can you do about them? Computers, TVs, media players, ovens, gaming systems, coffeemakers, toasters, multicookers, blenders, electric toothbrushes, and phone chargers, are examples of energy vampires. They get this name because they’re always sucking up energy, even when they’re not used. Unplug or power off as many as you can before you leave. It’s also a good idea to keep the habit of unplugging these vampires when not in use once you get home to keep on cutting your energy costs!
Most modern water heaters include a vacation setting. This lowers the temperature on the thermostat so that the water heater doesn’t operate as often while you are away but is able to quickly heat up when you reset it after your return.
If your water heater doesn’t have a vacation setting, set it to low. Heating water makes up roughly 20% of your home’s energy costs.
You can keep your water heating costs down even when you get back home by setting your water heater to 120˚F rather than the manufacturer’s setting of 140˚. Your water will still be hot, but you can save up to 10% on your water heating energy expenses. The lower temperature reduces the risk of scalding as well, which kids and the elderly are especially vulnerable to.
If you use Rinker Oil and Propane’s Automatic Delivery service for your propane delivery, we ask that you please inform us when you’ll be away from home for more than a few days. That is because your usage history is a factor when we’re scheduling your propane delivery. Notifying us you’ll be away may keep us from making an unneeded propane delivery.
The days and hours before you go on vacation may be hectic, with packing, getting the pets to the pet sitter, and more.
All of these activities may cause you to forget if you completed important things like our suggestions for cutting your energy use and costs. The tips below will help you have peace of mind about your energy savings as well as the safety and security of your home.
Before you go on vacation, make a checklist on the phone of these energy-saving tasks. Check them off as you complete them, so you don’t forget.
Go all around the home with your smartphone just before you depart. Take pictures of all the rooms with the lights out, appliances unplugged or shut off, your range and oven turned off, the water turned off to your washer, the water heater set to vacation or low, the thermostat programmed to your vacation settings, doors locked, windows closed and locked, and curtains and blinds closed. If you’re concerned about whether you left a light or appliance on while traveling, check the photographs from your phone for assurance.
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