Unplugged: what to shut off and unplug when you’re away on vacation

It’s surprising how many people forget to unplug unused appliances when they go away for an extended period of time, whether it’s for work or a much-needed vacation.  Many appliances and electronics still draw energy even when they’re “off”, so you’re essentially paying for those devices when they’re not in use.  Here are a few things you should turn off or unplug when you’re away for more than a weekend trip:
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1. Air Conditioning: Unless you have pets you’re leaving at home, you can turn your A/C off completely.
2. Lights: This applies for when you leave a room, but is an obvious one when you leave for a trip.  Do a final sweep around your home before you leave to make sure all lights are shut off.
3. Water heater: This is an obvious one for when you’re going on vacation.  If it’s an electric water heater, you can turn it off from the breaker switch.  While you’re at it, you can probably turn off the entire water supply to prevent potential leaks.
4. Electronics and small appliances: Think computer, laptop, modem, routers, common kitchen appliances like your coffee machine, hot water dispenser, toaster ovens, blenders, food processors, etc.  These are notorious for slipping out of our minds, but while we’re not thinking about them, they’re constantly sucking small amounts of energy even when not in use, so don’t forget to unplug them before you leave.

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Being aware of what uses up energy even when not in use can really help you save money in the long run.  Unplugging and shutting things off is particularly important the longer you’re gone, so take the time to turn off these sneaky energy stealers and go enjoy your vacation!