Prep your home for the holiday vacation

Prepping your house for vacation is a great way to save energy. One way to do this is to turn down the temperature on your heating unit. A general rule of thumb is: the energy required to heat a building to a comfortable temperature is roughly equal to the energy saved as the building warms to the higher temperature.

Another way to save energy while you are away from home is to set the water heater to the vacation mode.

Before you head out the door, check the fridge to make sure there is no food that will spoil - it also makes room for the tasteful holiday desserts you will be bringing back with you. Make sure that your refrigerator isn’t set to the coldest temperature.

Unplug unnecessary appliances such as computers, TVs, gaming systems, DVDs and stereos to save on the phantom load.

And instead of leaving a light on 24 hours, consider putting lights on timers that only stay on for a few hours in the morning or evening. When looking for timers, look into getting one with a random time function, to give a more 'lived in' look.

When you return, remember to increase the thermostat temperature slowly to avoid spiking usage. Knowing your home is tucked in for its vacation stay, means energy savings for you.

Have other ideas to prepare your home for the holiday vacation? We'd love to hear your tips!

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