Tips to protect your place while you’re away!

Secure your home before you leave so you can travel with maximum confidence and peace of mind. Locking up might seem too obvious to mention, but an estimated 32% of burglars enter through unlocked doors. Unless you have an extremely low-care yard, the lawn or garden will definitely need attention if you’re gone long enough. Make sure your landscaping professional continues working in your absence, and if you don’t have one, ask a neighbour or hire temporary help. If you live in a wintry climate, consider snow removal as well.

Hide or lock up your valuables, don’t broadcast your plans online, and get your security system ready! These home tips for when you’re on vacation will help ensure that you won’t return to any unpleasant surprises.

#1 – Set the HVAC

Whether you’re taking on short camping or headed out for a weeklong European cruise, don’t forget about your air conditioner while you’re away. Though this appliance is used to being overlooked, neglecting it while you’re out of town could leave you with an unnecessarily high-energy bill upon your return.

• Clean the Air Filters
  Dirt destroys air conditioner efficiency. Change your air filter before you leave, and consider scheduling your annual professional cleaning and service before your trip if you haven’t already done so.
• Make Sure You Shut It Down
  Properly close all doors and windows, as well as blinds, curtains and storm shutters. These are no-brainers for security but can easily rob you of energy if overlooked. Prevent energy waste and save money by ensuring your home is properly closed, sealed and shaded from the sun in your absence.
• Go Un-Plugged
  Reduce your heating and cooling load by disconnecting electronics and appliances while you are away. Even items that aren’t in use can generate heat, making your air conditioner work harder. Going away for a long time? Consider cleaning out and unplugging your refrigerator and freezer as well.
• Consider Investing in a Programmable Thermostat
  Don’t want to come home to a stifling house? Let your thermostat do the work for you. A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on your pre-programmed schedule and settings. Want on-the-fly control? Opt for a Wi-Fi programmable thermostat for just a couple extra bucks to monitor and adjust settings from any mobile device.
  
• Consider How Long You Will Be Gone When Adjusting Air Conditioner Settings
  Even when you aren’t away on vacation but simply out of the house, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends adjusting temperature settings on your thermostat to save energy. How much? In the summer when your home is not in use, a setting of 85 degrees, or about 10-15 degrees cooler than your preferred in-home temperature, is recommended.

#2 – Invest in a Home Security System

It is always an expensive investment, and you want to make sure that it is protected, along with your family. Installing a home security system is always a clever idea, providing you with total safety. This is especially important when moving to a new location, where you perhaps don’t know the neighborhood risks that well, and just want to be completely prepared.

The good news is that there are several different highly reputable companies that will successfully ensure that your family and your belongings are safe in your new home. 

#3 – Switch your water heater to vacation mode

Setting the system to “Vacation” or “Pilot” mode saves energy while also preventing damage to your water heater. It’s a compromise between using no power at all and using a little bit of heat to avoid extensive damage to your system.

Water heating systems require a lot of energy to operate. For this reason, more and more environmentally conscious people (and those who just want to lower their bills) are learning how to put their water heaters into “vacation mode” with the idea of saving energy. 

#4 – Clear storm drains and gutters

Keeping gutters, downpipes and garden stormwater grates clean and clear of leaves and debris are extremely important for the health of your home. Gutters and downpipes carry water and debris from the roof, and in a storm, can lead to water build-up on the roof, and overflowing gutters — in all the wrong places. Water building up in the wrong places can potentially lead to roof damage, roof leaks, and mould or yard damage.

To achieve a clean and clear gutter, you need to gather some tools. Get a sturdy ladder, some gloves, a bucket, and a durable brush. Start to remove any debris from the gutter and place it in the bucket for disposal. Use the brush to get fine debris stuck to the bottom of the gutter. The brush will help to loosen debris so it can be cleared away by the next rainfall or with a hose. After you’ve finished cleaning and clearing one area, carefully climb down the ladder, reposition it at the next area and repeat these steps until the gutter is entirely clean.

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