Tips for Trips

See below, from our local utility: Going on a Trip? Give Your Energy Bill a Break! A vacation is a great way to get away from it all. Did you know that by taking a few simple steps, you can give your energy bill a break as well? Adjusting the settings on your home appliances and electronic devices before you leave will help you save energy and money. Water heater. If you have a tank unit, your water heater will continue heating water while you are away. Adjust the temperature setting as low as possible to reduce standby heat loss. Refrigerator. Your refrigerator is one of the biggest energy users in your home. If you are leaving for a short period, conserve energy by adjusting the thermostats on your refrigerator and freezer to higher settings—38°F for the refrigerator, and 5°F for the freezer. For trips lasting four weeks or more, consider emptying your refrigerator and unplugging it. Air conditioner. There is no need to cool an empty house. Turn off your air conditioner or set the thermostat to 85°F or higher. If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to vacation mode; it will conserve energy while you are away and cool your house shortly before you return. Lights. Install timers on indoor and outdoor lights and set them to turn the lights on for a few hours each night. This will conserve energy and provide added security by creating the illusion that someone is at home. Electronics. While turning off electronic devices saves energy, digital displays and instant-on features continue to use energy whether you are home or not. Unplug all electronic devices before you leave. Conserving energy at your destination Conserving energy is important no matter where you are. If you are staying in a hotel, turn off the lights and adjust the thermostat when you leave your room. To conserve energy and water, reuse bathroom towels whenever possible, and consider walking or taking public transportation instead of using a rental vehicle. Visit www.midamericanenergy.com/ee to learn how MidAmerican Energy Company can help you save even more money on your energy bills. MidAmerican Energy offers various EnergyAdvantage® energy efficiency programs designed to encourage the use of high-efficiency equipment in residential, commercial and industrial buildings