WhileYoureAwayFromHome


Home \| Site Map \| Contact Us

While You're Away From Home

Before you leave on vacation, be sure your home is prepared for your departure. Follow these easy tips to limit your energy consumption while away.

• Set your hot water tank to the vacation setting, or the lowest setting on the dial. This will ensure that water is heated only to a minimum level while you’re away. To save additional energy, consider shutting off the water heater entirely.

• Schedule your routine annual check of natural gas appliances with a qualified technician prior to leaving on vacation. Knowing that your appliances are operating safely and efficiently will give you peace of mind while you are away.

• Turn the pilot light off on any appliances with a “standing pilot light” if they will not be in use while you are away.

• Plug electrical devices such as televisions, DVD players, computers, monitors, etc. into a power bar and turn the power bar off before leaving. Remember, any electronic device with digital displays, remote controls or instant “on” features consume energy even when they are not being used.

• Unplug small appliances like microwaves, coffee makers and slow cookers that utilize a clock or instant “on” feature.

• Turn off the lights. As a security measure, install timers and / or motion sensors on some outdoor and indoor lights to imitate human activity.

Leaving for a vacation in the winter months?

Also consider:

• Turning down the temperature to 15 degrees C while on vacation during the winter months. Lower temperatures may negatively affect indoor plants and could cause water pipes to freeze. Ask a friend or neighbour to check the house daily to ensure the house is warm enough to prevent any freezing.

• Maintaining your home at lower temperatures, even when not on vacation, will save you energy. As a general rule, for every 1 degree C you consistently set back your thermostat during the entire heating season (based on 8 hours per day), you could save approximately 2% of your annual heating costs.

• Replacing the batteries (if applicable) of your programmable thermostat prior to leaving. A faulty or low battery can affect the operation of the furnace.

Leaving for a vacation in the summer months?

Also consider:

• Turning off the air conditioner, if you have one. At the very least, turn up the thermostat to minimize the amount the air conditioner is used while you are away.