Summer is the time of year for road trips and camping vacations. Unfortunately, the bills don't get a vacation, too.
Here are seven ways to save energy while on summer vacation:
Either turn off your water heater, turn it down as low as possible, or put it in vacation mode. Consult the manual for instructions on how to operate the thermostat.
Consider turning your cooling system off. If you prefer to leave it running, turn your thermostat up to 84 degrees while you're away. You can save around three percent for every degree you raise it.
Close your blinds, shades or curtains to keep the house cool in the afternoon sun.
Turn off all lights in your home. You may want to install timers on one or two lights for security. For lights on a security timer, use CFLs or LEDs, which use less energy than incandescent lamps.
Put your computer to sleep. Note that screen savers are not energy savers. Using a screen saver may, in fact, use more energy than not using one, and the power-down feature may not work if you have a screen saver activated. Instead, save energy when you're away by turning the computer off or enabling the power saving mode.
Unplug all of your electronic devices, including computers, modems, routers, printers, coffee pots, microwaves, toasters, plug-in chargers, TVs, surround sounds, DVD players, and game consoles. Any electronics with digital displays, instant-on features, or remote controls will consume energy even if they're not in use.
Before you head out the door, take a few minutes to clean or replace the air conditioning or heat pump filters. This will help the cooling system unit operate more safely and efficiently.
Find more energy saving tips and information about rebates and loans to make energy efficiency upgrades in your home or rental property.
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