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Holiday Travel Tips for Your Home

Posted on November 30, 2017 in Seasonal Home Tips

It’s that time of year again when many of us travel to visit friends or family members during the holidays. While packing your suitcase will be something to worry about, there’s something larger that should get your attention before you leave – your home. Before you set off to join loved ones, make sure you follow these tips from our home improvement company to keep your home safe and energy efficient while you’re gone:

Turn your thermostat down

Turn your thermostat down several degrees to save energy while you’re away. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure it’s set to one temperature instead of the usual daily variations in warmth.

Close and lock your windows

To prevent cold drafts from infiltrating your home, make sure your windows are both closed and locked.

Close your curtains and blinds

Just like with your windows, closing your curtains and blinds can help keep cold air outside. This will also make it difficult for strangers to tell that no one is home when the lights aren’t on.

Turn down your water heater

If you have a tank-style water heater, turn it down while you’re gone. Since you won’t be home, there’s no sense in keeping water heated that will not be used. Remember – the lower you turn it, the more energy you’ll conserve. Just make sure to write yourself a note to remind you to turn it back on when you get back.

Turn off the lights

Again, since no one will be home, there’s no reason to waste electricity. However, having lights on for a few hours each night can make it seem like you’re home, so consider putting them on a timer.

Unplug your electronics

Even when they’re not on, electronics that are plugged into the wall still use electricity. Do yourself a favor and unplug your television, DVD player, computer, appliances, and other devices that have a standby light on them to indicate they continuously use electricity. This can also help prevent damage if there’s a power surge while you’re away.

Close your flue

If you have a fireplace, make sure your flue is closed before you leave. Having an open flue can let in large drafts of cold air.

Consider a security system

If your home doesn’t already have a security system, consider investing in one. It can give you the peace of mind you need while you’re away, knowing your home is safe from potential thieves or robbers.

This holiday season, don’t leave without taking care of your home’s “to-do” list first. You’ll be happy you were able to keep your home safe and save energy while you were gone.