To-Do List If You’re Taking a Winter Vacation
Posted: February 10, 2020
Are you taking your kids or grandkids to Disney World? Have you made plans to visit old friends in Florida? Maybe there’s a Caribbean cruise just around the corner. Whatever your plans, we wish you a fun and safe time.
But before you leave your home, here are some steps you should take. It may help you avoid having to deal with unnecessary problems when you return. You know the old saying: “better safe than sorry.”
Heating System To-Do List Before Your Trip:
- Adjust your thermostat. Don’t turn off your heating system! Keep it running on the heat setting set for 60-65 degrees—no lower–to prevent pipes from freezing. Consider keeping kitchen cabinets open to keep heat flowing to uninsulated pipes there, too.
- Make sure all windows and doors are closed and sealed. Close shutters and check locks on all windows and doors.
- Unplug appliances. Unplugging appliances will protect them from power surges (which are common when power is restored after an outage) and reduce the risk of fire. You’ll also cut your energy bills by reducing the energy drawn from “vampire” appliances – ones that draw electric current even when they’re turned off.
- Close the flue on your wood fireplace. This will prevent snow, rain or animals from getting into your home. It will also prevent heat from escaping.
- Shut off the main water valve. The best way to prevent frozen pipes is to make sure there’s no water in them in the first place. Open up all your faucets to prevent pressure buildup from the little bit of water that remains in your pipes.
- Have someone check your home on a regular basis. That person can contact us if there’s a problem and give us access.
Adjusting deliveries
If you’re an automatic delivery customer, call us! Remember, the timing of your propane or heating oil delivery is based on an estimate derived from your past usage and the current weather. If you’re going away – especially if you plan to be gone for a few weeks – let us know so we can revise our delivery plan accordingly.
For even more accuracy, please contact us about installing a wireless tank monitor so we know exactly how much fuel you have in your tank.
We also recommend you look into upgrading to a smart thermostat at some point soon.
