A vacation is a great way to get away from it all. Did you know that your appliances and electronic devices can use a little time off as well? With a few simple adjustments before you leave, you'll come home to a lower energy bill.

Water heater

Did you know that your water heater will continue heating water while you are away?  Turn off the breaker to your water heater while you are gone to avoid heating that hot water while you are away.  

Refrigerator

Your refrigerator is one of the biggest energy users in your home. If you are leaving for a short period, conserve energy by adjusting the thermostats on your refrigerator and freezer to a higher setting. If you have a spare refrigerator, consider emptying it and unplugging it.

Heating/Cooling

In the summer, turn your air conditioner thermostat to 85°F or higher. If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to vacation mode; it will conserve energy while you are away and cool your home back to normal shortly before you return. (This may not work if you leave pets behind in your home, so you will need to consider that.)

In the winter, turn your thermostat down to 55°F.

Lights

Install timers on indoor and outdoor lights and set them to turn them on for a few hours each night. This will conserve energy and provide added security by creating the illusion that someone is home.

Electronics

While turning off electronic devices saves energy, digital displays, and instant-on features continue to use energy whether you are at home or not. Unplug all electronic devices before you leave. Advanced power strips make it easy. They will automatically shut off power to plugged-in devices whenever they are not in use.

At your destination

Conserving energy is important no matter where you are. If you are staying in a hotel, turn off the lights and adjust the thermostat when you leave your room. To conserve energy and water, reuse bath towels whenever possible and consider walking or taking public transportation instead of using a rental vehicle.