“Did I remember to turn the stove off?” 
“Did I water the plants?”  
“Who will get the mail while we’re gone?” 

These are the kinds of questions we ask ourselves as we head out the door for a relaxing summer vacation. But one checklist item that sometimes gets overlooked is our HVAC system.  

Some homeowners may not realize that there are several steps you can take to save both energy and money while you’re away this summer. Here are just a few ways to save green while going green while enjoying your next vacation:

Don’t turn off your air conditioning system 

While it may seem tempting to turn off your air conditioning system completely, especially in milder climates, this is never a good idea. Without your air conditioning running, your home can be susceptible to excessive humidity that can allow mold to grow and even attract certain insects. In addition, high temperatures in your home can put extra stress on major appliances such as your refrigerator or freezer, forcing them to work harder.

Lower your electric water heater

Water heaters are among the highest consumer of energy when it comes to appliances in your home. What some don’t realize is that a significant amount of the cost of running a tank-type water heater is due to the energy it consumes to maintain its temperature when no heat is being drawn. To avoid these "standby" losses, set your water heater to vacation mode or to its lowest setting. Just remember to turn back up when you get back home.   

For more tips and information, visit the Department of Energy.