Three methods to reduce your electricity expenses while away from home during the holidays: 1

3 ways to cut your electric bill while you’re away from home over the holidays

1. Unplugging Your Appliances

The first strategy you can take to cut your electric bill while away from the holidays plagues a common misconception: many people don’t realize that appliances left plugged in, even when they are not being used, continue to consume energy. This phenomenon is known as standby power or phantom load, and it can be responsible for up to 10% of your home’s energy use.

Now, imagine leaving your home for weeks during the holidays; those idle appliances can significantly affect your electricity bill. It’s essential to manage this if one of your goals is to reduce utility costs when the house is vacant.

Thankfully, rectifying this issue is simple: before you leave for your holiday trip, walk around your house and unplug all non-essential devices.

Think about when you went on your last vacation. Perhaps there was a forgotten coffee maker or microwave clock continuing to use energy. A cell phone charger left in the wall socket might have continued to draw power even with no device attached.

• Unplug Kitchen Appliances: Coffee machines, microwaves, blenders – anything that isn’t necessary should be disconnected.
• Remove Chargers: All types of chargers continue to draw small amounts of power even when not actively charging a device.
• Unplug Entertainment Devices: Televisions, video game consoles, stereo systems, and other entertainment equipment often use standby power.
• Disconnect Office Equipment: Your computer, printer, scanner, and other peripherals still consume power even when switched off or in sleep mode.
• Avoid Space Heaters: If you tend to use space heaters in the colder months, remember these are high-energy devices. Make sure to unplug them when leaving for an extended period.
• Turn Off Your Water Heater: There’s no need to heat water if you’re not around to use it!

2. Setting a Programmable Thermostat

Second on our list of tips for decreasing the electricity bill while you’re away is setting up a programmable thermostat. You may be wasting energy and money by heating or cooling your empty house to a comfortable temperature. A programmable thermostat, whether a basic model or a more complex smart thermostat, can be set to reduce HVAC system usage when no one is home.

Typically during the winter holiday season, it’s best to lower your thermostat setting to about 55°F while you’re away. This temperature will prevent your pipes from freezing without wasting too much energy warming an empty house.

Similarly, if you’re off for a summer vacation, setting your air conditioner at a higher than usual temperature will ensure you’re not paying to cool an empty house.

Let’s imagine it’s the middle of July, and you’re going away for two weeks. Instead of leaving your AC running as usual, you bump up the temperature setting from a comfortable 72°F to a more conservative 85°F.

• Install a Programmable Thermostat: If you don’t have one already, consider this important energy-saving investment.
• Set It and Forget It: Take advantage of the features of your thermostat. Set a schedule that reduces system use when you’re not home.
• Consider a Smart Thermostat: They’re more expensive but come with additional features, such as control from your smartphone.
• Don’t Turn Off the HVAC System Completely: Extreme temperatures can harm your furnishings.
• Winter Settings: If it’s wintertime, set the thermostat to around 55°F while you’re away to save energy but still prevent pipes from freezing.
• Summer Settings: If you’re off for a summer vacation, adjust your AC to a higher temperature.

3. Using Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs

One more thing to consider when you aim to cut energy costs during the holiday season is your lighting. If you’re planning to leave a light or two on for security reasons while you’re away, make sure you use energy-efficient lightbulbs.

LED bulbs consume a fraction of the energy that standard incandescents do and have a much longer lifespan, making them a great investment. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are also a good choice as they consume less energy than traditional bulbs.

So before heading out for your holiday break, consider replacing any incandescent bulbs with CFL or LED alternatives.

Imagine leaving a few lights on for security purposes at night while you’re away on a two-week vacation. Switching from incandescent bulbs to LEDs or CFLs in those lights could save significant energy and thus, trim down your electric bill.

• Install LED Bulbs: LEDs are the most efficient bulbs available today. They’re costlier upfront than traditional lightbulbs but will pay for themselves over time.
• Consider CFLs in Certain Instances: CFLs can be a good choice if LED bulbs aren’t an option—just remember that they contain small amounts of mercury and should be disposed of properly.
• Replace Your Most-Used Lights First: If replacing all your bulbs isn’t feasible, start with the fixtures you plan to leave on while you’re away.
• Remember External Lighting: If you’re using security or decorative lighting outside your home, make sure they’re also energy-efficient.
• Use Light Timers: Consider purchasing timers for your lights. These can turn the lights on and off at specific times, saving more energy.
• Consider Motion Sensors: For outdoor lighting, motion sensors can provide light when it’s needed without staying on all the time.

Summary Table of Actionable Tips