Did you know that home appliances and electronics still draw power whether you’re using them or not? If you’re planning to travel this summer, consider giving them a vacation too. Turning them off, down, or even unplugging will reduce energy waste and give you the added benefit of a lower energy bill when you get home.
Dave Walton, the director of home ideas for Direct Energy recommends a number of tips for summer travelers.
Control the air. Allowing the temperature in your house to increase by a few degrees when no one is home could save a significant amount on your summer energy bills. If you have a programmable thermostat, keep the temperature high while you’re away and set it to automatically lower before you arrive home. Adjusting the thermostat from 22 to 24 degrees Celsius over an eight-hour period during the day and again overnight could save you approximately three to five per cent on your hydro bill.
Unplug vampire electronics. Vampire electronics are the household appliances and devices that mindlessly add to your energy bills even when they are turned off. Things like cellphone chargers, microwave ovens, DVD players, televisions, computers, and gaming consoles all draw electricity when not in use. Even the average older home desktop computer uses about 311.0 kilowatt hours annually when in standby mode, costing approximately $24 a year.
Cover the windows. Before you leave for your holidays remember to close the curtains and drapes, especially on south and west facing windows. This will help block out the high summer sun and stop the home from getting too hot inside, causing your AC to come on unnecessarily.
Set your lights on a timer. By using a timer, not only are you being more energy efficient, you will also be making it look like someone’s home while you’re out of town.
Stay connected while you’re away. That home-away-from-home can be great, but how will you know if a problem arises? Learning thermostats allow homeowners to monitor what’s going on, no matter where you are. You can get a message to your phone if your home is too hot or too cold, or receive information about how often the equipment has been coming on so you can better monitor the temperature you set.
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