Written on: July 25, 2022
Did you know there are many ways you can save money on your energy bills by making some simple home adjustments before you leave on vacation? With the money you save, perhaps you won’t feel as guilty about splurging a little during your trip. With August one of the most popular months for Americans to travel, here are five of our favorite vacation-related energy-saving tips.
Even though you’re away, your traditional storage-tank water heater will continue heating and reheating the water in its tank —and hot water can account for nearly one-fifth of your home’s energy costs. You can reduce your expenses by putting your water heater on vacation mode. If it doesn’t have a vacation setting, set the temperature to anywhere between 50-70°F. This tip is applicable if you have a traditional gas, electric, or heating oil direct water heater. If you have an indirect-fired water heater, you’re already saving money on heating your water. Read more.
The cooling temperature of your refrigerator is also adjustable, and you don’t need to run it at full power while you’re away for a week or two on vacation. While you shouldn’t unplug your fridge, of course, your food will still be safe if you set it to 42°F You can also set your freezer to 5°F. These temperatures are cold enough to protect your food while reducing your electric bill.
It’s easy to forget about your air conditioning when you’re rushing out the door to catch a flight. Even so, you can save money by turning your thermostat up to 85°F while the house is empty. If you have a smart thermostat, you can set your home’s temperature remotely from a smartphone app.
You don’t want your empty house to be appealing to criminals. However, if you plan to leave some lights on around your home, there are ways to do so in a cost-effective way. Put some lamps on a timer and replace any old lightbulbs with energy-saving LEDs or halogen incandescent bulbs.
If you’ve never heard of an energy vampire, it’s any device that sucks electricity just by being plugged in, even when it’s not turned on. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that energy vampires can add 10% to a home’s monthly electric bill. So, be sure to unplug these energy-sucking devices—and keep them unplugged until it’s time to use them, whenever practical.
A secure supply, ultra clean-burning B20 Bioheat® fuel, and a superior service department are among the attributes that make Westmore Fuel stand out. We provide B20 Bioheat fuel and service to Darien, Greenwich, Stamford, and nearby communities in Connecticut. We also deliver our B20 Bioheat fuel and service to New York communities, including Port Chester, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, and White Plains.
Full online customer access, remote wireless dispatch for fuel delivery and service, a fleet of vehicles equipped with GPS, and 24-hour emergency heating service are just some of the other ways we provide customers with the Westmore Advantage.