What to turn off while on extended trip

November 27, 2008

For the first time, we’re spending the winter in Arizona, leaving our home empty. What appliances can I safely turn off to save energy?

You’re smart to plan ahead to protect your home and avoid being surprised by your energy bill when you return. There are several things you can do to save energy while away.

• For heating systems: Set the thermostat on the heating system to 50 degrees. With zonal heat, leave interior doors open for air circulation and set each thermostat to the same setting. “If one is set higher than the others, that heater may try to heat the entire house and waste kilowatt-hours,” said Rick Cantonwine, Clark Public Utilities energy counselor. Unplug all space heaters for safety reasons.
• For water heaters: Turn off the electric water heater at the circuit breaker panel or set a gas water heater to “pilot” or low. If you are concerned about water pipes freezing and bursting while you’re away, turn off the water supply at the main shut-off. Also drain your faucets. Just remember to turn the water heater off before you close the main water valve. However, leave the water on if you have someone periodically checking on the house to make sure the pipes are okay.
• For the refrigerator and freezer: A typical newer model refrigerator uses about 85 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month, so you’ll save a little more than $6 by turning it off. Older models use considerably more electricity, so the savings could be double that. If you decide to unplug it, be sure to empty and clean it and then leave the door propped open. Be aware, however, that leaving a refrigerator door open presents a safety hazard to young children. So if children will be stopping by, it’s probably best to leave the fridge on and door closed. If you do leave it running, remove the perishable food, set it to its warmest setting, and fill it with several gallon jugs of water to reduce temperature fluctuations. It may not be practical to turn off a freezer if it’s fully stocked. Instead ask someone occasionally check to make sure nothing has caused it to turn off, such as a power interruption.
• Other appliances and electronics: Appliances with inner clocks, timers and instant-on features continue to use energy when turned off. Unplug computers, printers, VCRs, DVRs, chargers and televisions to save energy.
• For security systems: Beyond saving energy, make sure your home is secure while you’re gone. Give your home a lived-in look by having interior and exterior lights on timers. Use compact fluorescent light bulbs that save energy. Stop newspaper and mail delivery. Alert trusted neighbors that you’ll be away and ask someone to occasionally check the house.