Going Away? Tips for Saving Energy While You Are Away on Vacation
Don’t Pay to Cool an Empty House: Smart Energy-Saving Tips for When You’re Away
Leaving your home—whether it’s for a vacation or just another day at the office—offers a great opportunity to cut down on unnecessary energy use and lower your utility bills. With just a few simple steps, you can reduce waste, protect your appliances, and come back to a more efficient home.
Here’s a quick guide to the most effective energy-saving actions to take before you walk out the door:
- Adjust your thermostat – Set to 85°F in summer or 55-60°F in winter
- Unplug electronics – Eliminate “vampire” power draw from unused devices
- Lower water heater temperature – Use vacation mode or drop to lowest safe setting
- Close blinds and curtains – Block heat gain through windows
- Use light timers – For security without wasting electricity
- Manage refrigerator settings – Set to 38°F (fridge) and 5°F (freezer)
- Turn off ceiling fans – They only cool people, not empty rooms
Your bags are packed, the car is loaded, and you’re ready for that well-deserved vacation. But before you lock the door and hit the road, there’s one final checklist that could save you significant money: preparing your home’s energy systems for your absence.
Whether you’re heading out for a 2 week vacation, a quiet weekend getaway or an extended work trip, leaving your home running at full energy capacity is like throwing money out the window. Heating and cooling account for about 50-55% of the average home’s energy use, while phantom power from plugged-in devices can silently drain another 10% of your electricity bill.
The good news? Simple adjustments before you leave can translate to real savings on your next utility bill. According to energy experts, adjusting your thermostat by 7-10°F for 8 hours a day can save as much as 10% annually on heating and cooling costs. When you’re away for days or weeks, these savings multiply.
Plus, reducing your energy consumption isn’t just good for your wallet – it’s better for your home’s systems and the environment too. Lower usage means less wear and tear on expensive equipment like your HVAC system, water heater, and major appliances.
In this guide, we’ll walk through practical, easy-to-implement steps that will help you power down your home efficiently before you power up your vacation mode.
Why Pre-Trip Energy Prep Matters
Let’s be honest—there’s something incredibly satisfying about knowing you’re not burning money cooling an empty house while you’re relaxing on a beach with a margarita in hand. But our tips are not just about being budget-conscious—it’s about being smart and intentional with your energy use in every way.
Saving energy while you’re away goes beyond trimming your utility bill. It’s also about reducing unnecessary wear on your appliances, minimizing your environmental impact, and making your home safer while it’s unoccupied. Whether you’re gone for a weekend, a week, or just long workdays, a few strategic changes can make a noticeable difference. Think of it as a simple, proactive way to take care of your home—even when you’re not in it.
When you take just 15 minutes to prep your home before departure, you’re setting yourself up for some impressive benefits:
Your wallet will thank you. Those small adjustments before leaving can slash your energy bill by 10-30% during your absence. Imagine coming home to not just souvenirs, but extra money in your budget! The longer your trip, the more substantial these savings become.
Mother Nature appreciates it too. Every kilowatt-hour you don’t use means less carbon pumped into our atmosphere. Your vacation can actually become more environmentally friendly before you even leave home.
Sleep better wherever you roam. There’s a special kind of peace of mind that comes from knowing you’ve properly secured your home’s systems. No more jolting awake at 2 AM wondering, “Did I turn down the thermostat?” You’ll enjoy your time away without nagging worries about wasted energy or potential problems.
Your equipment gets a vacation too. Your HVAC system, water heater, and other appliances work hard all year. Giving them a break reduces wear and tear, potentially adding years to their lifespan – and that means more money staying in your pocket long-term.
The beauty of these energy-saving principles is that they apply whether you’re heading out for a quick weekend getaway or starting on a month-long trip. The core concepts remain the same, though you might take additional steps for longer absences (which we’ll cover later).
At Aire Tech AC, we’ve helped countless homeowners in Perris and surrounding areas prepare their homes for vacation. We’ve seen how these simple preparations not only save money but also prevent potential headaches upon return. Let’s explore exactly how to set up your home for maximum efficiency while you’re away.
Quick HVAC & Thermostat Guide
Did you know your HVAC system is probably the biggest energy hog in your home? It typically accounts for a whopping 50-55% of your total energy usage. That’s why making a few smart adjustments before you head out the door can put real money back in your pocket.
The simplest way to save? Follow what I like to call the “7-10 rule” – adjust your thermostat 7-10°F from your normal setting when you’re away. This small change can slash your heating and cooling costs by up to 10%. It’s like giving yourself a vacation bonus!
If you’ve invested in a smart thermostat (and if you haven’t, you might want to consider it), now’s the perfect time to use that vacation mode feature. It’s pretty magical – you can set energy-efficient temperatures while you’re gone, then have your home return to cozy comfort just before you walk through the door.
For our friends here in Southern California’s warmer spots like Perris, Riverside, or Temecula, I recommend taking these quick steps before you leave:
Give your system a fresh air filter – it’s like letting your HVAC take a deep breath. A clean filter ensures better airflow and efficiency, even at higher temperature settings.
Consider scheduling any overdue HVAC maintenance. At Aire Tech AC, we can make sure your system is running smoothly before you hit the road. Think of it as a check-up for your home while you’re getting ready for your own vacation!
Take a quick walk around your outdoor unit to clear away any leaves, branches, or debris. Your system needs to breathe easily while you’re away.
Thermostat Settings
Finding the perfect away-from-home temperature is a bit like Goldilocks – not too hot, not too cold. It depends on the season, your trip length, and whether you’ve got pets, plants, or other temperature-sensitive items staying behind.
Summer Settings (Southern California):
For our typical SoCal summer, 85°F is the sweet spot for an empty house. Got furry friends staying behind? Keep it between 78-80°F to keep them comfortable. Plant parent? Most houseplants will be happy with temperatures between 75-80°F, depending on what types you have.
Winter Settings:
When the rare chilly weather hits our region, aim for 55-60°F in an empty home. This is an important range – never go below 55°F or you risk frozen pipes (and that’s a homecoming nobody wants). If pets are staying behind, keep it warmer at 68-70°F. Your houseplants will appreciate temperatures around 60-65°F.
Here’s an important tip I share with all my customers: Never completely turn off your HVAC system when you’re away, especially during humid times. This can lead to mold growth and moisture problems that could cost far more than any energy savings. Plus, your refrigerator will have to work overtime in a super-hot house, defeating the purpose of your energy-saving efforts.
Smart Thermostat Advantages:
If you have a smart thermostat, you’re already ahead of the game. You can adjust temperatures from your phone while sipping a cocktail on the beach, monitor your home’s conditions in real-time, and have your house perfectly comfortable before you return. Some models even detect when you’ve left and automatically switch to energy-saving mode – pretty clever!
| Feature | Manual Thermostat | Smart Thermostat |
|---|---|---|
| Remote Control | No | Yes, via app |
| Pre-arrival Adjustment | No | Yes, automated |
| Temperature Monitoring | No | Yes, real-time |
| Humidity Monitoring | No | Some models |
| Learning Capabilities | No | Some models |
| Geofencing | No | Some models |
| Initial Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Long-term Savings | Good | Better |
For homeowners in Perris and surrounding areas, a smart thermostat is particularly valuable given our temperature swings and those occasional scorching heat waves that seem to know exactly when you’re on vacation!
HVAC Maintenance
Taking care of a few maintenance items before you leave isn’t just about saving energy – it’s about peace of mind. There’s nothing worse than worrying about your HVAC system while you should be enjoying your vacation!
Fresh filters make happy systems. A clogged filter is like trying to breathe through a pillow – it makes your system work much harder and use more energy. This is especially important in our dustier areas like Perris, Moreno Valley, and Riverside. Take two minutes to check and replace your filter before leaving.
Consider a pre-trip tune-up. If you’re heading out for a long stretch or your system is due for maintenance anyway, having our Aire Tech AC technicians perform a quick check ensures everything runs smoothly while you’re gone. Think of it as vacation insurance for your home comfort system.
Seal the leaks. Before leaving, take a moment to check for obvious duct leaks and seal them with metal-backed tape (not regular duct tape, which doesn’t last). This prevents your precious cooled air from escaping into spaces where nobody’s enjoying it.
Clear the path. Make sure all your vents are open and not blocked by furniture, curtains, or that pile of laundry you meant to put away. Good airflow is essential for efficiency, especially when your system is running at vacation settings.
Give your outdoor unit some space. Take a quick walk around your outdoor condensing unit and clear away any leaves, branches, or debris within 2 feet. Your system needs to breathe easy while you’re away!
For those planning longer absences during our Southern California summers, these steps are particularly crucial. Your HVAC system will still need to maintain reasonable temperatures to prevent excessive heat buildup that could affect other parts of your home.
Unplugging Energy Vampires & Leveraging Smart Home Devices
Ever notice those tiny lights still glowing on your TV or microwave when they’re “off”? They’re actually telling you something important – your devices are still sipping electricity! This sneaky power consumption, known as phantom load or vampire power, can silently drain up to 10% of your home’s electricity. For most households, that translates to about $100 annually just powering devices nobody’s using.
Before you head out the door for your getaway, take a quick walk through your home with “vampire hunting” eyes. Your entertainment center is usually vampire central – TVs, cable boxes, gaming consoles, and DVD players all continue drawing power even when off. In the kitchen, anything with a digital clock or display (like your microwave, coffee maker, or toaster oven) is quietly running up your bill. Don’t forget your home office, where printers, computer monitors, and speakers often stay in standby mode.
Phone and laptop charging stations are another common culprit. Even when your devices aren’t connected, those chargers are still drawing small amounts of power. And those small bathroom appliances like electric toothbrushes and hair dryers add to the vampire load too.
Here’s a simple trick: turn off the lights in each room and look for the tell-tale glow of LEDs or digital displays. Each little light represents money slowly draining from your wallet while you’re enjoying your vacation!
Of course, you’ll want to keep some devices powered up – particularly your internet router if you’re using smart home security devices or need remote access to your home systems while away. But everything else? Pull those plugs and enjoy the peace of mind (and extra savings).
Beyond saving energy, unplugging electronics provides valuable protection from unexpected power surges during storms or outages – something we see occasionally in Southern California’s summer months.
Frequently Asked Questions about Vacation Energy Savings
Is it safe to turn my water heater completely off?
Yes, you can safely turn off an electric water heater completely when you’ll be away for a while. If you have a gas water heater, it’s better to switch it to “pilot” mode rather than fully off—relighting pilots can be tricky and sometimes requires a professional touch.
Just keep these points in mind before you flip that switch:
Your electric water heater will typically need 1-2 hours to heat back up when you return—something to consider if a hot shower is first on your agenda! Never set water heaters between 68-113°F (20-45°C) as this temperature range creates the perfect breeding ground for bacteria like Legionella.
For shorter trips under a week, simply lowering the temperature to 120°F is usually your most practical option. You’ll save energy without the wait time when you return home.
Here in Southern California, from coastal neighborhoods to inland communities like Perris, these guidelines work year-round with minimal seasonal adjustments needed.
Should blinds stay open or closed in winter?
This question has a bit of a “it depends” answer based on which direction your windows face:
For south-facing windows, open those blinds during daylight hours to welcome free solar heat, then close them once the sun sets to keep that warmth inside. Your north-facing windows don’t get much direct sunlight, so keeping blinds closed day and night helps insulate against heat loss.
With east-facing windows, open them in the morning to capture early warmth, then close by midday. Do the opposite for west-facing windows—keep them closed until afternoon, then open to catch the setting sun’s heat.
Living in Southern California’s milder climate, especially in areas like Perris, Riverside, or Temecula, means this is less critical than for folks in snowier regions. But during our occasional cold snaps, smart blind management can still trim your heating costs while keeping your home comfortable.
If you’ve invested in smart blinds or shades, you’re in luck! Program them to open and close automatically based on time of day, maximizing energy efficiency even while you’re enjoying your vacation. At Aire Tech AC, we’ve seen how these small adjustments can make noticeable differences on winter utility bills.
Call Aire Tech Today!
Here in Southern California, our unique climate means we face specific energy challenges – from scorching summer heat in Perris to milder coastal conditions. At Aire Tech AC, we understand these local needs and are committed to helping you maximize your home’s efficiency no matter where you live in our service area.
Whether you need a quick pre-vacation system check, help installing that smart thermostat you’ve been eyeing, or advice on managing your home’s energy use through our seasonal changes, our friendly technicians are just a call away.
After all, the best vacation is one where you can truly relax – sand between your toes, not a worry about what’s happening back home. Your house should be working for you while you’re away, not the other way around!
