Save Energy While on Vacation

Lower Your Energy Costs This Summer

Everywhere you look, prices are on the rise. It costs more to put gas in the tank and food on the table. At Hocon, we offer our customers a reliable source of propane and heating oil at competitive prices. We care about providing you with the best service in the area. And we’re here to help you add a bit of breathing room to your budget this summer.

Here are some tips for saving energy (and money on your energy bills) this summer when you’re away on vacation.

5 Tips for Saving Energy While on Vacation

Before you hit the road for your next trip, add a few items to your pre-vacation checklist. Doing a few simple things before you leave home for a few days or more will help you save money on energy costs while you’re away.

1. Adjust your AC. If no one will be in the home while you’re gone, then there’s no need to keep things as cool. You can safely turn up the temperature on your AC to as high at 85 degrees Fahrenheit. With a programmable thermostat, you can change the settings for the dates you’ll be away and then schedule your regular settings to resume a few hours before your return, so you come home to a comfortable house. With a smart thermostat, you can make any necessary adjustments from your smartphone.
2. Adjust your water heater. Just as you don’t need to keep your home as cool while you’re away, you don’t need to keep your water as hot if there will be no one in the home using it. Roughly 20% of your home’s energy costs goes to heating water. Many water heaters have a vacation setting. If yours doesn’t, set the temperature to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Unplug. There are lots of appliances that we call “energy vampires,” because even when they’re not in use, they use up energy. Unplug anything with a display or indicator light. Unplug your coffee maker, toaster, and other kitchen appliances. Unplug all electronic chargers. Unplug your TV, washer & dryer, computers, printers, and gaming consoles. If you won’t be recording shows on your DVR, you can unplug your modems, routers, and cable boxes as well.
4. Install timers etc. Although you want to unplug as many appliances as possible to save energy, you don’t want your home to invite burglars by remaining completely dark every night you’re away. Adding motion sensors to you outdoor lighting and putting a few indoor lights on timers are cost-effective security measures you can take.
5. Close your blinds and/or curtains. This is a practice that can save you money whether you’re home or away. Closing your blinds and curtains to the sun will help your home stay cooler with less energy. It’s also a safety measure while you’re away because outsiders won’t be able to see into your home.

There’s one more thing you should do before you leave for vacation. Make sure you have enough propane and/or heating oil so that you won’t have to worry about ordering any when you get back from your trip. Or make your life even easier by signing up for automatic delivery so you never have to worry about ordering fuel again. At Hocon, we offer both our propane and heating oil customers the option of automatic delivery.

You Can Rely on Hocon

Hocon serves thousands of residents in Connecticut, central Massachusetts, and New York. Click here to see if one of our many locations services your area.

Contact us today to learn more or to request a fuel delivery.