Between packing your bags and making sure all your vacation plans are set, it’s easy to forget about what you’re leaving behind – your home.
The safety and security of the valuables in your home depend on the measures you take before you leave. To avoid the need for emergency electric and plumbing services when you return from your trip, you need to do some simple tasks before heading out.
From taking care of your plants to guarding your home’s plumbing system, our experts at Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air have outlined a vacation checklist for you to use when preparing for your trip.
7 Electrical & Plumbing Things To Do Before Leaving Your House For Vacation
1. Adjust The Thermostat
While you don’t want to turn your air conditioning unit completely off, you do want to adjust the thermostat. If you have a manual thermostat, change the temperature to several degrees warmer than you typically have it set.
Turning up the thermostat allows for the air to still circulate, but not as frequently as when you are home. Keeping your air circulating is incredibly vital for your home. Additionally, having your thermostat turned up avoids wasting energy and reduces the possibility of potential HVAC service and repair. Consider turning on your ceiling fans instead.
2. Stop Your Mail
When mail and packages start to pile up, it’s a clear sign that you haven’t been home for a while. Halting your mail delivery can keep potential burglars from knowing that you aren’t home. Reach out to your local post office to go through the process of holding mail while you’re on vacation. Another alternative is to get a trusted neighbor or friend to collect your mail, newspapers, and any other deliveries while you’re gone.
3. Light Rooms With A Timer
Another way to make your house appear occupied while you’re gone is through the use of light timers. By using light timers on different lamps throughout your home, it can seem as if someone is flipping the light switch on and off. Additionally, light timers can help reduce energy as opposed to leaving a light turned on the entire time you are on vacation.
4. Set The Water Heater To Vacation Mode
Most water heaters have a vacation mode that can be easily set before leaving for vacation. If your water heater doesn’t have a vacation mode, you can lower the temperature to prevent it from cycling over and over while you’re gone. Turning the water heater to vacation mode can save significant energy and money.
5. Clean And Organize Your House
There are many things you can do to set yourself up for success when you arrive back from your vacation. Cleaning your home, especially doing the dishes, vacuuming the floors, and taking out the trash, will prevent any unwelcome critters or bacteria from building while you’re absent. Additionally, make sure to unplug all electronics that aren’t plugged into a surge protector. Ultimately, while cleaning, you want to think about ways to avoid any potential electric and plumbing problems that could arise.
6. Set Security Measures
A simple first step for security is closing your curtains and blinds. If you have a home alarm system, be sure to reach out to them and let them know you’ll be away and that they have updated contact information for you. Additionally, if you have a security camera or monitored exterior lights, make sure that they are all working correctly.
7. Turn Off Water Supply
It’s also recommended that homeowners should turn off the water supply. If a leak or burst pipe occurs, flooding can cause significant damage to your home. Don’t risk it, and turn the valve off for your home. If you’re unsure of where it is or how to do this (or you’re simply uncomfortable doing it) call Dixie and let us handle it for you.
Call Dixie’s Expert Electric, Plumbing, And Air Services
When you’re looking for a local company to handle your electric and plumbing services, you want a company you can trust. In the event of an electrical and plumbing emergency after returning from vacation, Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air is the best local service company in central Alabama.
We offer 24/7 emergency service, maintain a team of highly qualified and professional service technicians, and have been working in Alabama for over 100 years.
Call Dixie And It’s Done!
At Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air, your satisfaction is guaranteed. For plumbing, electrical, or heating and air services, our highly trained technicians will do it right the first time, on time, every time. For coupons and discounts on all the services Call Dixie has to offer, click here. To schedule a service with Call Dixie, call 334.328.3570 for Montgomery, or call 334.246.4914 for Auburn. You can also schedule an appointment online.
For emergency service and immediate assistance, please call our 24/7 service line at 334.328.3570.
