Tips for reducing home energy use while on vacation

While you are away on vacation, your refrigerator, water heater and heating or cooling system, along with a handful of smaller appliances may be running almost as much as usual. Below are some tips to help you lower your energy usage while you're gone.

  • Unless there is something in your home that might suffer heat damage, turn your heat pump or air conditioner off. If you prefer to leave it on, set the thermostat at 85 to 87 degrees.
  • To reduce the amount of heat gain, shade all sun-struck windows from the outside. Stopping the sun before it has a chance to warm up the glass and window frame will reduce the amount of heat entering your home.
  • Close all interior blinds and drapes.
  • Place several large buckets of water in the bath tub to help add moisture to your home. Ask a neighbor to refill the buckets as needed.
  • Turn the electric water heater off at the circuit breaker or fuse box and close the cold water inlet valve. Before you turn the breaker back on, open the supply line and run water from the hot water faucet to be certain the heater is full.
  • If you will be away for a couple weeks, turn your refrigerator's thermostat control to a slightly warmer setting. If you'll be gone for an extended vacation you may want to empty, clean and turn off your refrigerator. Prop the door open to help prevent mold and mildew.
  • Turn off lights except those you need for security. Use timers to control lights which are left on for security purposes.
  • To reduce operating costs of any lights left on, install compact fluorescent lamps in these fixtures.
  • Unplug all non-security appliances, including computers, televisions, clocks, and any device containing a transformer plug (cell phone chargers, wireless telephones, etc.).
  • If you have a pool, make sure the filter motor is on a timer and that proper chemical levels are maintained. Proper chemical levels are more important than running the pool filter longer.
  • SRP has options regarding the management of your monthly SRP bills while you are away.