Away for the Holidays: Your Energy Savings Handbook

The holiday season in Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut means many things: quality time with family and friends, enjoying delicious food, and participating in fun festive activities, just to name a few! But all this hustle and bustle can sometimes result in high energy bills, and that isn’t on anyone’s wish list. Here at PayLessForOil.com, we’re bringing you a handy list of tips and tricks to help you cut back your energy costs while you’re out of town enjoying your hard-earned holiday vacation. Keep reading to discover all the ways you can use less energy around your home, even if you aren’t at home this holiday season!

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Your Guide to Holiday Energy Savings

• Use a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat is a small investment that can go a long way toward helping you save on energy bills. Turning down your thermostat’s degree setting when leaving for your holiday vacation helps to ensure that your home stays at the ideal temperature while you’re gone. Our experts recommend setting your thermostat to a maximum of 65° F and at a minimum of 55° F. Setting your heating system to operate within this range will typically prevent household plants and plumbing pipes from freezing while scaling back the amount of energy your home consumes while you’re away.

• Unplug Electronics

Turn off electronics and small appliances that will not be in use while you’re away, such as televisions, video game consoles, home entertainment systems, battery chargers, computers, fans, and microwaves. Each one individually may not use much electricity when idle, but all together they can add up to a serious chunk of your energy bills.

• Power Down Appliances

Consider unplugging your refrigerator when you travel, since keeping it cold while you’re gone can be expensive. If you’re going on a long trip and don’t want to unplug the fridge, either empty it entirely or fill it with foods that have shelf lives that will outlast your time away from home. Be sure to at least unplug the ice maker (if you have one).

• Turn Off Your Water Supply

Turn off your home’s water supply and drain the taps to prevent disasters if your power fails and the pipes freeze. Be sure to flush any sediment out of the lines before you turn off the taps. When you return home, simply turn the water back on at the main valve and turn up your water heater.

• Choose LED Lights

LED lights use 90% less energy than traditional holiday lights, making them extremely energy efficient. LED lights last longer, are more durable, and are much safer, making them the premiere Christmas decoration choice. Want to learn more about LED lights? Read our Home For The Holidays – Energy Savings Handbook for more info!

• Take Advantage of Timers

Timers make it easier for you to worry less about your electronics while you’re away. Many facets of your home are programmable and can be set according to your holiday vacation schedule. Check your remote connection to your smart thermostat and verify its vacation settings, then update any software and resolve any problems before you leave. Lamps, thermostats, and decorative lights are a few basic examples of items you can program with a home timer.

Related Post: Home For The Holidays – Energy Savings Handbook

Need an Oil Delivery before the Holidays? Contact PayLessForOil.com Now!

If you’re heading out to visit friends and family this holiday season, it’s important to make sure your home has the fuel it needs before you leave. When you choose PayLessForOil.com for your low price heating oil delivery, you choose a company that’s designed to make your life as easy as possible. It’s our mission to bring you the fuel you need at the best price we can, and our online ordering makes it easy and convenient to fill your tank. Get your FREE price quote on our website, or place your heating oil order right now. We can’t wait to serve you!

Sources Cited:

1 Direct Energy. “Protect Your Home With Our Holiday Travel Checklist”