Traveling This Holiday Season? Set Your Home To Vacation Mode

Heading out of town during the holiday season? Set your home to vacation mode and save energy while you’re away!

Whether you’re heading out to visit loved ones or taking a winter getaway, preparing your home for your absence can help you save energy and reduce electric bills. Here are smart, simple steps to make your home energy-efficient while you’re away.

Adjust Your Thermostat

• Lower the temperature to 55–60°F in winter to save energy while preventing frozen pipes.
• Use a smart or programmable thermostat to schedule temperature changes before you leave and just before you return, ensuring comfort and efficiency without manual adjustments.

Lower Your Water Heater Temp

• Most modern water heaters have a “vacation” or “away” mode that lowers the temperature to conserve energy.
• If your unit doesn’t have this feature, manually reduce the temperature to around 50°F or the lowest setting. This helps cut down on standby energy use while preventing issues like mineral buildup or corrosion.

Unplug Energy Vampires

• Many devices continue to draw power even when turned off. These include:
  • Phone and toothbrush chargers.
  • TVs, gaming consoles, and cable boxes.
  • Computers and smart home devices.
  • Space heaters and other auxiliary heating devices.
• Unplug or use smart power strips to eliminate phantom energy drain and protect electronics from power surges while you’re away.

Use Timers & LED Lighting

• If you leave lights on for security, use programmable timers with a “random” mode to stimulate occupancy.
• Make sure all bulbs are energy-efficient LEDs, which use up to 75% less energy and last significantly longer than incandescent bulbs.