Keep Your Home Safe While On Vacation
When planning a vacation do not forget to prepare your home for your absence.
When closing your home for vacation you want to be prepared for any unforeseen problems that may occur while you are away.
It helps to have a checklist of the things to take with you and it is also very helpful to have a check list of things to do before you leave your home for an extended period of time. Here are few main things that you should remember when going away, you can add and remove checklist points as needed:
Unplug appliances
Unplug all electric appliances to prevent any electrical disaster which can lead to fire. Not only you are leaving your home safe but you are also reducing your energy consumption by unplugging any appliances that you may have plugged everyday including TV, computers, toasters and any other electrical appliances.
Turn off your water
You can turn off your main water shut off valve if no water will be used in home. If you have somebody coming to take care of your pets or watering plants and lawn consider shutting each valve off separately.
Water Heater-OFF or Vacation mode
Turn off your hot water heater if the water will be shut off. If you wish to keep it running then you can set it to Vacation mode so it reduces your energy consumption.
Thermostat settings
During summer time set your thermostat few degrees higher than normal to save energy, do the opposite during winter period. Leaving your AC running in the summer creates a vision that somebody is at home.
Mail Delivery
Put your mail and newspaper delivery on hold at the post office as overflowing mailbox is the first sign of an empty home.
Preventative appliances check up
Check up your cooling and heating appliances (furnace and AC) before you leave for vacation. Annual maintenance will prevent you from any surprises. Let this be a perfect reminder that it is time for the equipment check up.
For more information on HVAC related questions please contact DeMark Home Ontario Inc.