Tyler Brooks
When leaving town, it is important to consider what to unplug and turn off to prevent damage and accidents. While it is not necessary to unplug everything, it is recommended to unplug non-critical devices such as computers, printers, and smart home devices. Critical devices, such as refrigerators, fish tank pumps, Wi-Fi routers, and modems, can be left on to maintain the health of the home and allow for remote monitoring. Adjusting the thermostat can also help maintain a stable home environment while saving energy costs. Additionally, unplugging devices can protect them from power surges and accidents during your absence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should you unplug everything when you leave town? | No, millions of people leave things plugged in when they go on vacation and return to intact homes. |
| What should you unplug? | Computers, monitors, printers, and other related equipment. |
| What else should you unplug? | All non-critical smart home devices, especially those plugged into regular outlets without surge protection. |
| What should you leave plugged in? | Things critical to your health, the "health" of your home, or your ability to monitor your home. For example, a full fridge, fish tank pump, Wi-Fi router, and modem. |
| What about the heating/cooling system? | Adjust the temperature range to save money, but don't turn it off. |
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What You'll Learn
Unplugging everything is an option
Firstly, it is a cautious approach that can prevent potential issues. Power surges and electrical faults can occur at any time, and unplugging everything eliminates the risk of damage to your devices and appliances. This is especially important if you have older or sensitive electronics that may be more susceptible to power surges.
Secondly, by unplugging non-essential items, you can reduce the risk of accidents. For example, unplugging kitchen appliances like toasters or blenders ensures they cannot be accidentally turned on, causing a potential fire hazard. Similarly, unplugging items like space heaters or fans can prevent them from accidentally activating and becoming a safety hazard.
Additionally, unplugging everything can help you save on your energy bills. While it may not make a significant difference for shorter trips, longer vacations can result in notable energy savings by unplugging items like computers, TVs, and other electronics that use standby power.
However, there are a few exceptions to consider. It is generally recommended to keep essential items like your refrigerator and freezer plugged in, as unplugging them could lead to food spoilage. Similarly, if you have a fish tank, ensure the pump remains operational to maintain the health of your aquatic pets. It is also advisable to keep your Wi-Fi router and modem turned on to maintain a network link to your home, allowing you to monitor any smart home devices or receive alerts from security systems.
In conclusion, while it may not be necessary to unplug absolutely everything, adopting an "unplug-all-the-things" approach when leaving town can provide added peace of mind. By unplugging non-essential items, you can reduce the risk of electrical damage, accidents, and even save on energy costs. Just remember to consider the exceptions and keep critical items operational to maintain the "health" of your home and its systems.
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Adjust the temperature to save money
Adjusting the temperature settings on your thermostat can help you save money on your heating and cooling bills. The Department of Energy recommends lowering your thermostat by 7°-10°F for eight hours a day to save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling costs. This simple adjustment can make a significant difference in your energy usage and expenses.
In the winter, set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature of around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and lower it when you're asleep or away from home. If you're going to be away for an extended period, consider reducing the temperature to the low 60s or upper 50s.
In the summer, you can keep your house warmer than usual when you're away and set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature when you're at home. Raising the thermostat setting will slow the heat flow into your house, reducing the need for air conditioning. You can also use fans to supplement cooling, allowing for a higher thermostat setting without feeling uncomfortable.
Programmable thermostats can be extremely helpful in maintaining these temperature adjustments. They allow you to set schedules and make automatic changes during unoccupied hours, ensuring consistent energy-saving practices without sacrificing comfort.
Additionally, remember that the greater the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the higher your cooling bill will be. So, finding a comfortable temperature that everyone can tolerate in typical seasonal clothing is essential for maximizing energy savings.
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Unplug computers and other equipment
When preparing to leave town, it is generally advisable to unplug most electronic devices and equipment, including computers and related peripherals such as monitors and printers. Unplugging these devices will not cause any harm and provides protection from potential power surges or electrical issues that may occur during your absence. This is especially important for devices plugged into regular outlets without surge protection.
However, there are some exceptions to consider. It is recommended to keep critical equipment operational, such as security cameras, smart smoke detectors, and devices necessary for the "health" of your home, like a thermostat or HVAC system. These devices help monitor and maintain your home while you are away. Additionally, keeping your Wi-Fi router and modem turned on is suggested, as it allows you to stay connected to any smart home gear and provides a way to check if your power is on remotely.
For devices that you cannot unplug, such as a full refrigerator or fish tank pump, you can adjust settings to save energy while still ensuring their functionality. Adjusting the temperature settings on your thermostat for the season can help maintain your home's stability without incurring high energy costs.
It is worth noting that millions of people go on vacation without unplugging anything, and they typically do not encounter significant issues. Nonetheless, unplugging computers and non-essential equipment is a cautious approach to prevent potential electrical damage or accidents.
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Leave the router and modem on
Millions of people go on vacation without unplugging anything and return to intact homes without any issues. However, if you want to minimise the risk of electrical damage, you should only leave plugged in those things critical to the "health" of your home or your ability to monitor it. For example, no one would unplug a full fridge before a holiday. Turning off your Wi-Fi router and modem doesn't save much power, so it is recommended to keep your router and modem on. This will allow you to stay connected to any smart home gear you have inside, such as a smart thermostat. It can also be a simple way to check if your power is on.
Therefore, if you want to leave your home monitored and be able to check on the power while you are away, you should leave your router and modem on. If you have smart home gear, such as a smart thermostat, leaving your router and modem on will allow you to receive alerts if anything goes wrong. Additionally, keeping your modem and network active can be a simple way to check if your power is on.
While you may be able to monitor some aspects of your home without a router and modem, such as through a security system that is not Wi-Fi-enabled, leaving them on provides additional benefits. For example, if you have a smart thermostat, you can adjust the temperature range to save money instead of turning off your heating or AC completely. This way, you can ensure your HVAC system keeps your home stable while you are away.
In summary, leaving your router and modem on while you are out of town can help you monitor your home, stay connected to smart devices, and check if your power is on. It can also help you save money by adjusting the temperature instead of turning off your heating or cooling system completely.
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Unplug non-critical smart home devices
Millions of people go on vacation without unplugging anything, and they return to homes that are intact. However, if you want to avoid electrical damage, power surges, or accidents, it is best to unplug non-critical smart home devices. These include smart speakers and smart mood lighting, especially those plugged into regular outlets without surge protection.
You should also unplug computers, monitors, printers, and other related equipment. Unplugging these devices will not harm them and will protect them from power events.
Other non-smart home devices you can unplug include lithium-ion-powered tools, such as stick vacuums, power tools, and lawn and garden equipment. As a general rule, only leave batteries on the charger when charging them.
However, it is essential to keep critical equipment running, such as security cameras, smart smoke detectors, your Wi-Fi router, and modem. These devices are crucial for the "health" of your home and your ability to monitor it while away. For example, keeping your modem and network active allows you to check if your power is on, and your smart thermostat can alert you if there are any issues.
Additionally, consider adjusting your thermostat settings instead of turning off your heating or cooling system entirely. This will help maintain a stable temperature in your home while you are away.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you can leave things plugged in if you want to. However, to avoid electrical damage, flooding, or accidents, it is recommended to unplug non-critical items.
Computers, monitors, printers, and other smart home devices that are plugged into regular outlets and not protected by a surge protector.
Your Wi-Fi router, modem, smart security cameras, and smart smoke detectors.
It is recommended to leave your thermostat on with adjustments to ensure your HVAC system keeps your home stable while you're away.
You could inadvertently turn off critical items such as your chest freezer or your home security system.
