This Memorial Day you’ll probably be going out of town to take full advantage of the three-day weekend, or maybe you’re slipping away for a much needed escape that lasts even longer. The question comes up: how can I keep my electricity bill low during the time I’m gone? Why pay for more wattage than necessary if no one is actually home? Of course, vacation safety etiquette dictates leaving on lights and having some of your electronics going to deter any prowlers, but there are ways to still reduce how much energy is being used while you’re away.
Fight Energy Vampires Affects Electricity Bill
One of the first things that you should do before leaving on your trip is unplugging any energy vampires you have around your home. This will lower your electricity bill. An “energy vampire” is an electronic device that’s not being used, but is still using energy. Energy vampires can often be spotted by having a red light or another indicator that shows the device is plugged in, even if it’s not actually on. Go through the house and unplug these devices. You may even want to consider unplugging your television, but you may want to leave your DVR on in case you’re recording any shows while you’re gone.
The Fridge
Depending on what you have in your fridge, you may want to unplug it while you’re out of town, especially if you’re going out of town for longer than the weekend. This can be a great time to clear out your refrigerator and let it sit while your home is empty. This option may not be for everyone, but it is one to consider if you could swing it.
Put Technology to Work
You can put technology to work for you in helping you to conserve energy. One of the best technologies for going out of town are light timers. These allow you to turn on your lights at night, to give the appearance that someone is home. After that you turn your lights off, as well. This is a better option than just keeping a light on at all times. Also, there are many systems out there that you can control from your phone. Forget to turn down the heat? You can use these connected systems where you can control your thermostat, lights, and other functions. Do this by simply opening an app on your phone.
Your vacation is meant to be a great time. No one wants to come home to find out that they ran up a huge electricity bill. These simple steps in advance can make it so that no unnecessary electricity is wasted. Then, when you come back home, you’ll just need to get everything plugged back in. If you need help with any of these steps, or if you’d like our help with wiring and you’re in the Snohomish/King County area, get in touch with Wire Craft today!
