7 Ways You Can Save On Home Energy Bills While You’re On Vacation

If you’re planning a trip Down East or to the Mid Coast this summer for a little R&R, you probably have a pretty good idea of how much you’ll spend along the way. But have you factored in how much it will cost to keep the home you leave behind up and running?

Follow these simple tips before you head east and you just might save enough for that lobster shack stopover you’ve been dreaming about:

1. Manage your lights – Put some of your lights on timers to make your home look lived-in while you’re away; turn the rest off. Motion sensors can provide security while minimizing the cost of your outdoor lighting.
2. Keep the fridge full – A full refrigerator is more energy efficient than a half-empty one, so don’t dump those non-perishables when you leave town.
3. Keep the vampires away – Unplug appliances or electronic equipment (except your security systems and refrigerator, of course), which suck current even with the power off (that’s’ why they’re known as “energy vampires”). That includes your TV, media players, cable boxes, computers, ovens, microwaves, and other appliances (anything with a light on it).
4. Raise your thermostat, but don’t completely turn off your central A/C – Why pay to cool the air if no one is around to enjoy it? Turn your thermostat up to 85 degrees before you hit the road, and set your fan for “auto” rather than “on” to prevent it from running 24/7. Just don’t turn your A/C completely off: it could cause a moisture problem.
5. Close the curtains and blinds – Closing window treatments will prevent the sun from overheating your space (which your air conditioner will overwork to cool); it will also prevent prying eyes from seeing into your home.
6. Shut your electric water heater at the breaker – If you’re not using hot water, don’t pay to heat (and re-heat) it. Of course, if you had a propane tankless water heater, you wouldn’t have to deal with this problem, since it doesn’t store any water (one of the many reasons to consider this energy-saving upgrade).
7. If you’re an automatic propane delivery customer, call us – If you receive automatic propane deliveries, let us know if you’re heading out of town for an extended period. Your propane delivery date is based on an estimate of your past bills; if you aren’t around, that estimate will be off, and you’ll pay for an unnecessary delivery.

Want more ways to save energy this summer and beyond? Ask the energy experts at Murray-Heutz Oil and Propane! To learn about high efficiency heating solutions for your Central Maine home, contact us today.