When getting ready to head off on a trip, most of us focus on packing, checking the house is secure & sorting out travel plans, but somehow we often forget about the energy guzzling that’s going on back at home. There’s one really important thing you can do before you leave : take a good hard look at some basic tips like turn off water heater when water is off – that’ll help you save some energy and stop wasting water. Places like Knoxville where people often travel off season because of the weather, these small things can make a real difference over time.
The Hidden Energy Drain of Appliances on Standby
Lots of our appliances just continue to chew up power even when they are turned off and we’re not using them. These devices – including things like your water heater, fridge & central heating – will often just keep running to keep things set as they are, even when you’re not at home to benefit.
All that ongoing energy use means there’s more demand for electricity, and most of that electricity is still coming from power plants that burn fossil fuels. And if you leave your appliances on while you’re away on holiday you’re just making your own carbon footprint bigger for no good reason.
Water Heaters and Unnecessarily Burning Through Energy
Water heaters are among the biggest energy suckers in any house – they’re constantly working to keep the water at the right temperature. When you’re away on holiday that hot water is just going to be sitting there, getting wasted because it’s not being used.
Switching your water heater off or putting it on stand by before you leave is a no-brainier that’ll not only lower your electricity bill but it’ll also help take pressure off the environment.
The Risk of Hidden Water Leaks and Wasted Water
Leaving your systems on while you’re away can also mean you miss out on spotting any leaks or other problems that can be wasting loads of water. If you miss one of these you can end up with a seriously big water bill when you get back home.
Wasting water has its own impact – especially in areas where water is getting scarce or where the water treatment systems are under strain. Taking the time to turn off the water supply and make a few other adjustments before you leave will really help you save water.
The Bigger Picture
The combined effect of all the households leaving appliances running while they’re away on holiday is really significant. It all adds up to more energy being used, more carbon emissions and more strain on the water treatment works and other ecosystems.
But the good news is that making these small changes at home can have a real impact on the bigger picture. Treating the small stuff like turning the water heater off before you go can be an important part of doing your bit to save the planet.
Smarter Home prep for When you Head Out
Getting your house in order before you take off should involve checking off some fundamentals – like making your home more energy and water efficient – right alongside the rest of your packing list. Turning down the thermostat, unplugging the stuff you don’t need and taking care of those big appliances really can make a difference.
Making these smart habits a part of your travel prep checklist means your home stays running smoothly even when you’re on the road. As time goes by, these little routines just become second nature and all of a sudden you’re living more in tune with the planet.
Conclusion
It’s easy to overlook it, but running all those appliances when you’re not even there – it’s not as harmless as it seems. The damage it does to the environment is a lot bigger problem than you might think – waste of energy, pointless water use – it all adds up to a bigger sustainability headache. By just taking a few simple steps such as turning down that water heater and keeping an eye on things at home before you leave, you can make a real difference, cut down on your bills and show the world that you’re serious about living more sustainably at home.
