When fall wafts in, snowbirds head south. Of course, “snowbird” has nothing to do with birds. When coined in 1923, the word applied to seasonal workers who’d move south seeking winter work. During the late 1970s, it shifted to retirees who flock to warmer climes from colder ones. Regardless of how snowbirds “fly south,” they need to button down their homes here first — for safety and to avoid wasting energy.
If you’re among those taking flight, you can choose two ways to close down your northernmost dwelling — a full or a partial shutdown. There are pros and cons to both approaches, so simply pick the method that feels safe and comfortable for you.
A full shutdown requires turning off the water and draining the water pipes in your home to prevent them from freezing. Generally, Clark County has a temperate climate with few long periods of freezing, so opting for a partial shutdown works if you have a contingency plan in the rare event of a very cold snap.
Outside: Make sure your crawl space is free of debris and moisture. Clear the vents and place hardware cloth over them to keep out pests. Replace any drooping or missing insulation and smooth the plastic covering the dirt. Insulate exposed water pipes. Cover the water faucets outside with foam shells to prevent their freezing. Complete any outside weatherization your home needs.
Inside: Heating is your costliest winter utility. To help keep your bill low, seal any air leaks around windows and doors with weather stripping. Check insulation levels in the attic. Change any filters that are due. Before departing, schedule your HVAC professional to check out your furnace or heat pump. The day you leave, shut off the hot water heater. You might want to drain it as well.
Security: Reduce risk by giving your home that “lived in” look. Leave a few lights on inside your home controlled by timers set at different settings for different days of the week. A good way to save on the utility bill is to switch inside and outside fixtures to LEDs. Before you leave, test your security lights. If batteries power them, replace the dry cells.
Appliances: Empty your fridge and freezer. Defrost the freezer and the freezing compartment of the fridge and turn both off. Wash their insides using a tablespoon of baking soda in a quart of water. Dry off their interiors and prop their doors open. If you leave freezer and refrigerator on, turn the fridge and freezer thermostats up.
Ask for help: Check in with your social network, not your social media. Ask your neighbors to watch for suspicious activity. Give them your contact information, just in case. Leave some keys and the alarm code with an emergency contact (a trusted friend or family member) willing to check your home occasionally. Stay in touch to learn about major weather changes that might require a call to your helper to visit your home and make sure all is well.
Stop services: Forward your mail. Halt any services you won’t be using, internet, cable TV, newspapers, and so on. Consider alerting law enforcement and letting Clark Public Utilities know you’ll be gone too.
Departure day disconnects: On departure day, set your thermostat to between 55 and 60 degrees. This will prevent anything inside from freezing. Then, start unplugging electronic devices. Even when off, plugged-in digital doodads draw electricity. Pull the plugs on any appliances that have LED lights or digital clocks because they use energy even when not in use. Also, unplug unnecessary lights and appliances. Disconnect TVs, cable boxes, all computer equipment, washing machine, dryer and microwave. Finally, don’t forget to leave the lid open on the washing machine and turn its water off to stop water damage.
For more tips on weatherization and reducing energy waste when you’re away, visit www.clarkpublicutilities.com
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98688.
