Vacations are a time to unwind and relax. By planning ahead, we can make sure our time to unwind and relax will not derail our desire for sustainability and energy conservation.
Energy conservation at home, while on vacation
Turn your thermostat up in the summer or down in the winter. Temperature should be based on what is being left at home, pets, certain valuables, and humidity all play a role in what temperature you should set it at. Energy.gov states “a setback of 7-10 degrees F for eight hours a day can save as much as 10 percent on annual heating and cooling energy use” (https://www.energy.gov/articles/askenergysaver-saving-energy-during-summer). In other words you can save a little on your energy bill while on vacation. Many programmable thermostats have a vacation mode that allows you to adjust while gone for several days and will be back to your desired temperature when you arrive home.
Unplug all unnecessary appliances (ex. coffee pot, microwave, tv’s, etc.). Most of these are energy vampires that are always using energy even if not actively working and you will not be using while you are away.
Unplug all charging cords. We have them all over the house, so they are always available, make sure they are all unplugged.
Put lights on timers so that they are off except for a few hours in the evening for security.
Most hot water tanks have a vacation mode that is programmable or is a setting on the thermostat.
If driving to your destination
Get your car maintenance done before leaving so it is running most efficiently. Confirm you have the correct tire pressure. Make sure your air filter is clean. Make sure your oil change is current and will last your entire trip. Top off all your fluids so you don’t have to make unnecessary stops.
Use a fuel-efficient car if available. You can rent one if your current car is not.
Have as many people as possible ride together. This will save wear & tear, fuel and money.
By planning ahead, we can get the much needed time to unwind while still upholding our belief in conserving energy and other resources.