Ready for a Vacation? Make Sure Your Home is Ready Too!

Summertime and that long awaited vacation are closer than you think. It probably takes most of us a few days to determine what, in the way of cloths and gadgets will we pack to take with us. But how much thought do we give to the home we’re leaving behind? Don’t let these critical decisions be last minute ones. Start a to-d0 list now.

Webber offered a few tips and we’ve added a few suggestions of our own to prepare your home before vacation day arrives:

Consider ‘Vampire’ Appliances – Appliances continue to use energy even when the device is turned off. It is best to unplug most electronic devices and small appliances including phone chargers, computers, televisions and game consoles, coffee pots and toasters. This will not only save energy, but it will prevent damage from lightning strikes and power surges.

Never leave anything with a heating element plugged in even if it is powered off. If you’re using surge protectors or power strips, don’t just turn them off, unplug them. And don’t forget those little plug-in air fresheners and candle melts, they have been know to cause fires. Battery chargers are also notorious for causing fires.

On the other hand, there are a few items you will deffinitely want to leave plugged in. Wi-fi routers and modems do not pull an enormous amount of energy and may be tricky to reconnect once use is discontinued. More importantly, unplugging your wi-fi will disturb other networked devices in your home including smart thermostats and security systems. In addition, leaving your wi-fi opperational will allow you to monitor any power outages that may affect your home.

A Smart Thermostat is Priceless for Energy Conservation – The air conditioning system uses a significant amount of energy. Turn the temperature up 10 degrees higher than it is usually set. If you have a programmable thermostat, it can be adjusted to turn on and cool the home hours before you return from vacation. The ability to use a phone app to adjust your thermostat is the most sensible way to go. You can keep an eye on both indoor and outdoor temperatures and determine daily, what is most beneficial for your home and your pocketbook.

Clean the Garbage Disposal – Waste disposals located in the kitchen sink are notorious for developing unpleasant odors while the house is empty. It is wise to flush the garbage disposal out with ½ cup of white vinegar and hot water while the disposal is turned on. Then generous squirt of your favorite scented dish soap, left in the disposal while you’re away, will help keep the garbage disposal both odor and mold free.

Adjust Water Heater Temperature – This is something that most people don’t think about but it can be a huge money saver! There is no need to heat water for an empty home. Adjust the water heater to vacation mode. If yours does not have a vacation mode, turn the temperature considerably lower. This will save a significant amount of money on the energy bill. Just don’t forget to readjust the temp when you arrive home or you may be taking an icy shower the next morning.

Put Lights on Timers – According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), there are more than 2.15 million burglaries each year, with the majority occurring in the peak vacation months of July and August. If a home is dark, it is a sure sign that no one is there. Put a couple of lamps on a timer inside the home. Set these to go on and off at different intervals. This will give the illusion that someone is home and make the home less vulnerable to burglaries. Outdoor lighting on timer switches, even when you’re at home but especially when you’re away, are always a good idea. A dark front door area is an open invitation.

Turn Off Main Water Source – If your pipes are going to leak, your washing machine hose is going to burst, or your toilet tank is going to run until it floods the bathroom and beyond, Murphy’s Law says it’ll happen when you’re away. Turning your home’s water supply off at the main service line (usually on the outside of your home) will ease your mind and prevent a disaster.

Treat stagnant water in toilet – Water left inactive in the toilet can produce a foul odor and a difficult to remove ring that forms around the toilet bowl. To prevent this, place a small amount of bleach, about a 1/4 cup, in the toilet bowl just before leaving home.

Don’t Forget the Landscaping – Mow the grass and manicure all landscaping before you leave. An overgrown yard could be an indication that you are not at home. Have someone put out, or take in trash barrels if necessary so that they’re not sitting on the edge of the road until you return.

Two Last Words… Lock Everything! Unplug your garage-door opener. A lock on your circuit breaker box is a good idea even when you are at home, but particularly when you’re not. A hard-wired security system may work for a short time on battery power but what happens if you’re away for a week or two and the power has been shut off? A battery-powered security system usually still has a plugged base station or key pad. When the power is out, your wi-fi is down. What will happen to everything in the refrigerator or that basement chest freezer you just stocked if the electricity has been switched off? This should go without saying, but secure the locks on ALL windows and doors, and double-check the lock your circut breaker box.