8 Ways To Prep Your Home To Save on Utility Bills When You’re Away on Vacation

Even when you’re away on vacation, your home still continues to consume energy — and likely more than you think. Homes can utilize around 82% of their normal energy even when unoccupied, according to the energy comparison platform PowerSetter.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take before you leave for vacation to reduce your home’s energy consumption, and therefore save money on your utility bills.

Almost any appliance that has an off switch should be turned off before you leave for your trip.

“Every device you leave on is consuming energy and adding to your bills,” said Mark Feygin, founder and CEO of PowerSetter. “Aside from the essentials — refrigerators, freezers, security systems, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and light and sprinkler timers — switch everything off before you head out the door.”

Keep your home as cool as possible when you’re away.

“While doing your final checks before you set out, shut the curtains and blinds,” Feygin said. “If you don’t, the sun will spend the time while you’re away uninterruptedly heating your home. Once you return? Your air conditioner will need to work overtime to return your home to a comfortable temperature.”

If you have sheer curtains, consider adding an extra layer of protection from the sun.

“A layer of reflective film over your windows should do the trick,” Feygin said. “It will bounce the sun’s rays back, stopping heat from building up inside and ensuring you have a comfortable home to return to — without relying on air conditioning.”

Keeping lights on 24/7 to deter potential intruders is not an energy-efficient move.

“You’ll have to foot the bill for that 24/7 energy usage,” Feygin said. “Instead, invest in a programmable light and set it to turn on and off in the evenings.”

Ideally, you can keep the air conditioning off when you are away. But if you have plants or pets at home and need to keep it on, you should utilize a programmable thermostat so that you’re not wasting extra energy.

“Set a programmable thermostat to turn the temperature down when it starts to get stuffy, ensuring your system isn’t running excessively while you’re away,” Feygin said.

“Water heating accounts for 25% of the average household’s water bill,” Feygin said. “That’s money down the drain if you’re not there to use it. Switch it off while you’re away from home.”

Some security systems run on solar power rather than relying solely on electricity. Utilizing one of these systems can save you big during the summer months.

“A well-placed security system should deter unwanted guests while you’re away, but that comes at a cost if relying on electricity,” Feygin said. “Instead, invest in a solar-powered system to keep criminals away and your energy consumption under control. But don’t go for the cheapest option — you need a system with good battery storage and efficiency to keep the camera rolling even when the sun isn’t shining.”

“If you’re lucky enough to have a pool at home, adjust the filtering schedule before you jet off,” Feygin said. “Sure, you will want a clean pool to climb into after your journey home, but you don’t need it to filter constantly while you’re away. Set it to clean for four to five hours each day to remove any algae that builds up without draining your bank account.”