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