You've chosen the destination, planned your trip and packed everything you need. But before you can unwind and relax, you need to take care of a few more things at home. Whether they'll save you money on your energy bill or protect your home from intruders, these tips are must-do's — and don'ts — before leaving for vacation.
Do:
Adjust your thermostat
One of the biggest mistakes travelers make is turning off their home heating or cooling before heading out for the weekend. Rule of thumb: Set the temperature about 4 degrees higher or lower than your normal seasonal temperature. In summer, the circulating air controls humidity and mold and mildew growth. In winter, leaving the heat on prevents pipes from freezing and bursting.
Turn off appliances
Before you leave, remember to check — then double check — your appliances. Stoves and larger appliances need to be turned off, and TVs and microwaves can be unplugged to save electricity. Remember to switch off your coffeemaker, especially if it's timed to brew each morning. Unplug hair and clothing irons and make sure they're completely cool before storing them away.
Fully charge electronics
Phones, laptops and tablets should be fully charged before leaving the house. There's nothing worse than setting the kids up with a movie or game and scrambling to find another distraction after the devices die in the middle of a long drive. Remember to pack your chargers too, so you aren't stuck with a dead phone battery if you need to call someone en route to your destination.
Don't:
Turn all the lights on
Leaving your lights on for the weekend in an effort to make it seem like you're home is a bad idea. It'll look suspicious when every light is on at 3 a.m., and your electric bill won't look any better. Instead, use light switch timers to turn lamps on and off throughout the day on a programmed schedule.
Leave perishables in the fridge
You should leave your refrigerator running, but don't leave soon-to-expire foods in the fridge while you're gone. Expired milk, cheese, fruit and vegetables could fill your fridge with nasty smells in a day or two, and leftovers aren't worth saving. Raise the temperature a degree or two to save some energy while you're gone, but don't bump it above 40 degrees.
Forget to lock the doors
It may seem like a no-brainer, but one of the most common mistakes homeowners make when leaving for the weekend is not locking the front door behind them. With so much else on your mind, it's easy to forget to secure sliding doors, windows and back doors, especially if they usually stay unlocked during the week. Take one last walk through your home to lock anything you may have forgotten about earlier.
Most importantly, don't forget to have fun and enjoy a great vacation!
