7 Ways to Conserve Energy When You're Not Home
Check out these seven easy steps that can save money on energy bills while you're away from home.

Sean Jackson
There's nothing like getting ready for a trip. As part of your prep, there are a few energy-saving measures you can do.
These are easy to implement. Best of all, they can help your home conserve energy, so when you arrive back, you won't have a larger energy bill awaiting you.
Save money on energy bills the easy way
During an especially warm summer, homes can consume around 82% of their normal energy even when unoccupied — averaging an unnecessary expense of about $590. And with energy prices on the rise, implementing these steps can help you save even during peak energy demand.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
1. Program your thermostat
Setting your thermostat at a higher or lower temperature when you leave can save you money on your utility bill. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, set it to ‘vacation’ mode.
Adjusting your manual unit a few degrees up or down can also have a significant impact. In fact, according to Duke Energy, a change of just three degrees for 24 hours a day can save 30% on your energy costs. Or, if you’re not leaving for an extended time and the forecast calls for mild weather, consider turning the system off.
2. Unplug appliances and electronics
When electrical appliances, "energy vampires," are plugged into an outlet, they use energy even when turned off, which can account for up to 10% of your energy bill. To save money, unplug all large and small electrical appliances, such as your computer, cable box, coffee maker, microwave, printer, television and toaster.
Another option is to use smart plugs. How these work is you plug appliances and devices into them and remotely control them. In turn, you could be hundreds of miles away from home and still have the ability to power on and off devices. That way, if you forget to turn something off when you leave, you still have a way to do so.
3. Turn off or turn down the water heater
“Water heating accounts for up to 25% of the energy a home consumes, and you won’t even be there to use it,” says Mark Feygin, founder and CEO of PowerSetter. “Switch off the water heater at the breaker while your home is vacant … but remember to leave yourself a note to turn it back on again when you return.” Turning off your water heater also prevents any unexpected malfunctions while away, like a water leak and flooding.
Many water heaters also have a vacation setting, usually found on the temperature dial. Adjusting it to 50 degrees Fahrenheit or the lowest setting available can help you save money while away.
4. Put lights on timers
Although simply turning off the lights saves you money while on vacation, many people choose to keep the lights on for security reasons. Instead of leaving the lamps lit all day and night, install timers and take the worry out of how much energy you’re using.
Keep in mind that while incandescent bulbs can get hot and overheat, LED lights save more energy and can be left on for extended periods of time without overheating, according to energy.gov.
5. Keep window coverings half-way or all the way closed
Your house will stay cool, and you’ll save energy by keeping window shades and blinds closed when the temperature climbs. Feygin recommends keeping window coverings closed while away. “If the sun has had weeks to raise the temperature in your home uninterrupted, it’s going to take a whole lot of work for your air conditioner to cool it once you get back.” Plus, the afternoon sun can make your home hot and unbearable for pets if left alone.
Similarly, Feygin adds, “Reflective film can stop heat from entering your home by bouncing back the sun’s rays, making it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature. Less heat buildup while you’re away means less reliance on air conditioning once you return.”
However, you may not want to advertise you are physically away, and closed curtains can give the impression that nobody is home. So, before you leave on an extended vacation, the experts at Duke Energy suggest leaving your curtains or blinds halfway open and investing in a smart security system.
6. Keep your refrigerator half-full
A fully stocked refrigerator stays colder than an empty one. Although you may want to remove all the food from your fridge when leaving town, keeping your refrigerator and freezer at least half full is actually more energy efficient.
But if you just can’t fathom the thought of coming home to sour milk, fill your fridge and freezer with full water bottles or ice trays, and adjust the thermostats on your refrigerator and freezer to a higher setting — 38 degrees F for the refrigerator and 5 degrees F for the freezer. If you leave for more than four weeks, you will probably want to empty and unplug your fridge.
7. More ways to save while away
Before you walk out the door, add these other “to dos” to your list and save even more on your energy bill.
- Turn off both ceiling and personal fans.
- Drain and winterize your hot tub, or unplug the hot tub heater.
- Turn off or lower the temperature on the heater for your swimming pool, but leave the pool pump on.
- Unplug your window air conditioner.
- Unplug any landscaping water features if not absolutely needed, or set them to come on less often or for a shorter period of time.
Related Content
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

For the past 18+ years, Kathryn has highlighted the humanity in personal finance by shaping stories that identify the opportunities and obstacles in managing a person's finances. All the same, she’ll jump on other equally important topics if needed. Kathryn graduated with a degree in Journalism and lives in Duluth, Minnesota. She joined Kiplinger in 2023 as a contributor.
- Sean JacksonPersonal finance eCommerce writer
-
These Beach Towns Are the Safest Spots in the US This Summer
Low crime rates, accessible medical care and calm conditions make these coastal destinations perfect for a stress-free getaway.
-
You Need to Have This Financial Talk With Your Spouse
Women are poised to inherit significant wealth from their husbands. Here's how they can prepare for it.
-
Three Ways to Find Deals in Your Investments This Year
Looking for ways to save because of tariffs? Don't forget to look for deals in your investments. Here are three expert tips for making a little extra this year.
-
Don't Miss Out on These Four Credit Card Benefits
Credit card benefits aren't always limited to cash back, points and miles. Check whether your existing card offers these valuable extras — or switch to one that does.
-
Smart Ways to Save Money at Museums
Want to save money at museums, art galleries, zoos and gardens? Use these tips to get free or discounted admission to national and local collections.
-
Surprising Ways to Find Deals on Cars Despite Tariffs
Looking for a new car? Tariffs will make good deals harder to find, so use these expert tricks to get a lower purchase price and keep long-term costs down.
-
How to Find Deals on Travel in 2025
Finding deals on travel is an excellent way to cut costs in 2025, as tariffs start to bite. Here are three suggestions for lowering the cost of your next trip.
-
Strategies to Spend Less on Clothing and Online Shopping in 2025
It's easy to spend less on clothing and other goods when shopping online. Arm yourself with these expert tricks and tools that will help you grab a bargain.