Vacations provide a unique opportunity to max out your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your electric bill. I’m not saying it will pay for your vacation, but with minutes of time you can save a few bucks towards your next vacation.
Here’s what you need to do before you head out the door.
Generally, freezing pipes become an issue if the outside temps are below 20º for more than a few hours. Check the forecast for your home before you leave and adjust your thermostat settings accordingly.
With that in mind, an ideal thermostat setting in the winter when you are not at home is 50º.
To avoid a nasty surprise when you return, crack open the cabinet doors under your kitchen and bathroom sinks. I’m in Texas so this sort of thing isn’t necessarily something I think about, unlike our friends in the north. But after my disaster with a pool, I now do this every time I leave during the winter. More on the pool below.
This lets warm air circulate and protects those vulnerable pipes. And don’t forget to turn off your outdoor water supply and drain those faucets to stop cold air from creeping in.
To avoid any potential leaks or water damage while you're away, it's a good idea to turn off the main water supply to your home.
Before you leave, get your HVAC maintenance done to ensure your heating and air conditioning systems are running smoothly. This way, you can avoid any unexpected breakdowns while you're away.
Winterize your pool! I live in Texas where our winters are very mild. It’s pretty rare for temperatures to stay below freezing for days on end, much less below 30 degrees. But, it does happen.
Typically in the winter, the pool pump will automatically kick on to keep the water inside the pump from freezing, so winterizing isn’t necessary. But when it gets really cold for days at a time it can’t keep up.
This is how I learned the hard way that whenever you are gone on vacation you should winterize your pool. I had a vacation planned months in advance in February. I saw the forecast called for below normal temps but didn’t think too much about it. The pool will run, “it will be fine” I told myself.
Spoiler alert, it wasn’t fine. I came home to find that a valve had cracked during the freeze causing water to leak out before reaching my pump. So, my pump burned itself out, and the pipes leading the pump froze and cracked.
If I had taken the 20 minutes to winterize my pump and filters beforehand I would have saved a lot of money and frustration.
Why waste energy cooling an empty house?
When you are going to be gone for 3 or more days in the summer set your thermostat to 85º when on vacation.
Just remember that it will take several hours for your home to get back to an ideal temperature. I always have my thermostat begin cooling back to my ideal temperature the night before I get home.
Your AC doesn’t just cool your home, it also acts as a dehumidifier. But who cares if you aren’t home, right?
Humidity is moisture in the air. Moisture leads to mold. That’s why you should keep it in check.
If you live in an extremely humid area your A/C may have a dehumidify mode or setting. Make sure it’s enabled. This will help prevent a moisture buildup in your home while you're away.
A dehumidifier can also be a lifesaver – just remember to empty the water reservoir before you leave to avoid any messy surprises.
If you aren’t sure it’s important keep this in mind. Mold remediation costs about $20 per square foot. So for a 2,000-square-foot home, you are looking at close to $5,000. And that number can be much higher depending on the severity and type of mold.
Your smart thermostat is your vacation’s best friend. Set it to vacation mode before you leave, and it’ll automatically adjust to save energy while keeping your home safe from extreme conditions.
You can also monitor your home’s temperature and humidity from your phone, giving you peace of mind. If something goes wrong, you’ll be the first to know—and you can make adjustments without cutting your trip short.
I personally use the EcoBee thermostat. It has an easy-to-use vacation mode and an app that will notify me if anything goes offline or if my system is having issues. Well worth the price for the piece of mind and ability to change the settings from anywhere in the world.
Besides adjusting your thermostat to a more energy-efficient setting, there are a few other tweaks you can make to save some cash on your energy bills.
Adjusting your thermostat is just one of the many things you should do before heading out the door. Here’s a few other things to keep in mind before you go on your next vacation.
If you're leaving your pets at home while you travel, having someone check on them a few times a day helps keep their routine steady and your couch from becoming a scratching post.
But don’t forget to factor in your furry friends when setting the thermostat. According to the USDA, these temperatures are ideal for your pets.
For dogs, keep your home:
For cats, the ideal range is:
These settings ensure your pets stay comfortable. If you have exotic pets, it’s a good idea to consult your vet for the best temperature recommendations.
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