So you finally planned that long-awaited trip to break away from your daily life. You have checked and re-checked your to-do list, and now you are standing in the doorway, ready to go. You might think the only thing left to do is lock up and leave, but what about turning your house off? All electric appliances draw energy even when they are not in use. So how can you minimise these costs without returning to a complete mess? Using energy-efficient appliances can make a big difference if you do not want to turn anything off. You can check customer rating on ReviewsBird.com for energy-saving products like a fridge. Also, check out customer ratings on shell broadband for renewable energy supply and smart home appliances to avoid high electric bills.
Unplug everything you can
Anything connected to a socket will draw electricity even when not in use. Unplug all electric gadgets, such as your TV, laptops, sound systems, and router(yes, your router!) The TV might be off, but the red light shining in the corner shows it is ready for use, which will still draw energy. Unplug all appliances in your kitchen, such as your kettle, microwave, stove, washing machine, and anything else plugged in. Additionally, you will protect your items from electrical surges and lower the risk of fires when you return. Do not only turn off the switches but also unplug all sockets because it still draws electricity while switched off.
What about my fridge?
If you have already removed any items with an expiry date and still have a fridge full of food, it would be wise to keep it on(of course!). Smart fridges have vacation settings that would save the most energy while still keeping your food fresh. Turn your fridge to the lowest temperature setting and fill it with plastic water bowls if you do not have one. The reason is that fridges are the most efficient when it is filled evenly in all storage spaces. Disconnecting your fridge will also defrost it thoroughly, so you might come home to a wet floor which is a big no-no.
Turn off your water.
Flooding houses are the highest risk factor when leaving your home for a few days. Turn off your water at the main switch to avoid this. It is not recommended to turn off your water heater. Instead, switch it to vacation mode or turn it to the lowest temperature setting.
Security measures
Getting an automatic timer for your lights is recommended, and switching to a setting that saves the most energy, maybe only once a day. In addition, it will ensure that it looks like somebody is home to avoid any chance of a break-in.
You booked a trip so that you can save the most money, and now you will save even more by switching your house off the right way. Now all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the view.