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Energy Adviser: Snowbirds can save electricity while away

The Columbian
Published: September 30, 2010, 12:00am

We are heading for Arizona for a few months this winter. What can I do to reduce energy use while we’re gone?

Unoccupied houses continue to use electricity unless it is shut off at the breaker box, which we seldom recommend. But there are things you can do to reduce energy use when gone for an extended period.

• Heating: Heating is the largest energy user in the home. Energy counselor Bob West recommends setting the thermostat to about 50 degrees if the house will be vacant.

If you have zonal electric heat, set room thermostats to the same low temperature and leave doors to the rooms open.

“If one room is set higher, the system may try to bring the entire house to that temperature,” West said.

Always unplug space heaters and close fireplace flues.

• Water heating: Why pay to heat and reheat water sitting in a tank? If your home has an electric water heater, turn it off at the circuit breaker panel. If it has a gas water heater, set the thermostat to “pilot” or “low.”

It will only take about an hour to get hot water when you return. If you’ve shut off the water to the house, remember to turn it on before turning on the water heater.

• Water: Some customers turn off the water supply to their home at the main valve and drain the water out of the pipes.

“This can protect against water damage from frozen pipes,” West said. “It’s smart to drain faucets too in case we have an extended freezing spell.”

Be sure to turn on the valve when you return.

• Electronics: Many of today’s electronics continue to use electricity even when turned off.

The amount of electricity used is minimal, but to stop all use, unplug printers, computers, cable boxes, TVs and home audio equipment. You will reduce electricity use, but you’ll have to reset the devices upon your return.

• Refrigerator/freezer: Turn off the refrigerator after emptying it and the freezer compartment. Prop the door open and place an opened box of baking soda on a shelf to absorb odors.

“Some people prefer to leave the fridge on, but set it warmer than usual to save electricity,” West said.

In that case, we also recommend removing all perishables and putting many gallon containers of water inside to reduce temperature swings.

• Home security: Your best bet for home security is to have a neighbor or friend check your home occasionally — inside and out.

Leave a lamp or two on timers to give your home a lived-in look. Do not let newspapers or mail accumulate — a sure sign the home is empty and an invitation to thieves.

Use outdoor security lights that automatically turn off at dawn or use motion detector lights. Leaving outdoor lights on continually is another indication of a vacant home.

The Energy Adviser is written by members of the energy counselor team of Clark Public Utilities, who provide conservation and energy use information to utility customers. Send questions to energyadviser@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668. A panel of local energy efficiency and energy product specialists will review your questions. Previous topics are available at http://www.clarkpublicutilities.com.

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