Roger the Plumber, a local plumbing, heating and air conditioning service company is offering money saving tips for homeowners: set water heaters to “vacation mode”, turn off the water to the home if the vacation will last more than three days, turn the thermostat up — rather than turning off the air conditioner — and inspect faucets, toilets and sprinklers for leaks. Leaving the air conditioner on and setting the thermostat to 78 °F will keep air moving throughout the home, save costs associated with cooling down the home, and protect it from getting too hot and potentially damaging wood floors, doorways and furniture.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating systems account for an average of 18% of electricity costs in the home. SFGate estimates, “A 50-gallon, 5,500-watt water heater with a .90 EF and an electricity rate of $.16 per kilowatt hour will cost $781 to operate each year.” Homeowners away on vacation for three days or longer should change the setting to “vacation mode” to avoid paying for unnecessary energy. Taking these precautions will also help prevent leaks and water damage.
Roger the Plumber General Manager Ian Williams says, “We’re in the middle of summer and now’s the time many Americans leave for vacation. Sure, planning a summer getaway can get pretty hectic, but we want to remind homeowners to vacation-proof their home by adjusting their water heater to ‘vacation mode’ and inspecting plumbing fixtures. Doing this will not only help reduce energy costs, but can also keep the home protected from unexpected leaks that could quickly turn into serious water damage.”