energy. While some of that is necessary, leaving your house running like it’s occupied can waste a lot of energy. With a few simple adjustments, you can keep your empty house from draining your energy budget. 

Before you leave 

By taking a few simple energy-saving steps before you head out each day, you can make a big impact on your monthly bills. 

Turn things off. Leaving equipment and appliances on when no one is there is a waste of energy and it can be dangerous. Turn off all lights, TVs and other unused devices before leaving. 

Adjust the thermostat. There’s no need to spend money keeping your empty house comfortable. Adjust the thermostat to save energy while you’re away from home. If you have a programmable unit, optimize savings and convenience by programming it according to your comings and goings. 

Pull the plug. Some electronic devices continue to use power even when turned off. Unplug chargers and other little-used devices when you’re not at home. Plugging multiple devices, such as an entertainment center, into one power strip makes it easy to shut off power with a single flip of the switch. 

Lower water heater temperatures. If you’re heading out for the weekend or longer, lower the temperature on your water heater. That way, you’ll reduce the amount of energy used to heat all that hot water you’re not using. 

Get smart and make saving easier 

While these energy-saving measures are simple, they’re easy to forget. Smart technology gives you more control, allowing you to save energy at home no matter where you are. 

Did you forget to change the thermostat before you left? With a smart thermostat, it’s no problem. Just use the accompanying app on your smartphone to adjust the temperature from wherever you are. Some smart models can even learn your habits and program themselves based on your schedule. 

Smart lightbulbs can be turned off remotely, or on a schedule, to prevent waste. Smart plugs and advanced power strips can automatically shut off power to unused electronic devices, saving you money on standby power whether you are home or not. 

By combining simple conservation with advanced technology, you can reduce your home energy use whenever you want and wherever you are.