Many people travel during the winter. They’re either escaping to a tropical location to get a break from the snow and cold, or they pack up and travel to see family for the holiday season. Whenever you plan to be away from home, make sure you secure the house and take some measures to save energy (and money!) while you’re away.

Lower the Temperature!
There’s no need to keep your house completely heated while you’re away on a winter vacation. Save energy and lower your monthly utility bills by turning down the thermostat before you leave. We recommend keeping your home set at 15 degrees Celsius to protect your home, but not incur high energy costs.

Please remember: since we live in a cold climate, you don’t want to turn off the heating system completely. You could risk reaching freezing temperatures indoors and having your pipes freeze and then burst.

Turn Down Water Tank Temperature
Many homeowners remember to turn down the temperature at the thermostat but never think to turn down the water tank temperature. There’s no reason to keep water heated the whole time you’re enjoying a winter vacation so make sure to lower the temperature of the water heater—some models even have a vacation mode.

Turn Off Lights and Appliances
Don’t forget to walk around the home before you leave and turn off all the lights. This simple task can save energy and significantly decrease your monthly energy bills while you’re away. In addition, consider unplugging any large appliances. Even when off, appliances draw “phantom power” and the only way to completely stop it is to unplug them.

Going on a winter vacation is often a highlight of the year. Just make sure to take some time before you leave to secure your home and take steps to lower monthly hydro bills and save energy.

Installing a smart thermostat is one of the best ways to save energy, save money and have peace of mind during a winter vacation. Through the web-based portal, you can always log on to adjust temperatures or monitor your home.

Contact Fahrhall Home Comfort Specialists to learn more about available smart thermostats or if you have any questions about your heating system — we’re always happy to help.

Fahrhall has provided reliable plumbing, heating, cooling and air quality service and installation in the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent areas since 1967. We are available for any of your plumbing needs and are happy to help you keep your pipes working all winter long.

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