Summer vacation is something we all look forward to every year. However, while you are away relaxing and having fun, your home can still be wasting energy. This is particularly true in sunny Socal and Los Angeles. Intense summer heat and sun can cause your home to use more energy even when you are not there. Implement the following tips to conserve energy in your home while you are away for summer vacation.
Adjust the Thermostat
There is no need for the air conditioner to be running constantly while your family is away on vacation. You can turn it off completely or you can simply set it to a higher temperature. The recommendation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to set your thermostat at 85 degrees while you are away. That way it will not be running regularly, but will come on occasionally and remove any humidity in the air.
Turn Down the Water Heater
Even though no one will be home using water, your water heater can still waste energy. The water heater continues to use quite a bit of energy to maintain the temperature of the water inside. Set your water heater to “vacation mode” if it has that setting. Otherwise, lower the temperature about 20 degrees until you return.
Raise the Refrigerator Temperature
The temperature on your refrigerator can be set a bit warmer while you are gone on vacation. Additionally, full refrigerators work best. Try filling yours with large pitchers or containers of water while you are away. However, if you will be gone for an extended period of time, then consider completely unplugging the refrigerator.
Unplug the “Vampires”
Many electronics continue using energy even while not in use, particularly those with standby power settings. Computers, televisions, digital clocks, stereos, coffeemakers, and other appliances all use energy even when turned off (vampire power) or in standby mode. By unplugging these items while you are on vacation, you will be conserving energy.
Turn Off Lights
To save energy, it is best to turn lights off while you are away. If you are concerned about potential burglars noticing you are not home, try using a timer to turn some lights off and on during the evening or nighttime.
Close Curtains
Keep the curtains and blinds closed to keep out the sun. The hot afternoon sun can raise the temperature inside your house (especially in the San Fernando Valley), which then triggers the air conditioning to turn on and expend energy. Keeping the sun out with closed curtains and blinds will keep your home’s interior cooler naturally.
Experts in the HVAC industry recommend implementing all of the above tips to save energy while you are away on vacation, particularly turning the air conditioning down or off. Many of these tips are also excellent ideas for conserving energy even when you are at home. Turning off unnecessary lights, keeping the curtains drawn during the afternoon, and unplugging appliances and other electronics when not in use are all great ways to save energy and money in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and all of southern California this summer.