Vacation Checklist

Save Money Even While You're Away

Decide which actions apply to your home and are worth the effort and disruption, depending on how long you plan to be away. Place a check mark under "To do" for those that you'll do, and then put a check mark beside each once it's done. When you come back, you can easily see the items you need to put back to normal and check them off as you do them.

The most important ones, for the most savings and least effort, are highlighted with a *.

Heating

Item To do Done Back to normal
Thermostat*
Programmable: Set to 16C (61F) and Hold, or program and use the Vacation setting      
Manual: Turn down to 16C (61F)      
Other space heaters*
Gas furnace and gas fireplaces: Turn off pilot light for the summer. You may need to have gas utility or service company re-light them.      
Furnace fan: Switch off (summer only).      
Electric: Unplug. Should not be left on while unattended, even if it has a thermostat.      
Gas: Turn to the lowest setting or off, ensuring pipes won't freeze.      
Heat pump: Switch off crankcase heater at circuit breaker or disconnect switch. Allow 2 hours after turning this back on before operating the heat pump. Or,
Set temperatures at 16C (61F) for heating and 30C (86F) for cooling.		      
Water heater
Electric: Set to lowest temperature or turn off at the breaker.      
Gas: Turn off or use Vacation setting.      
Water taps: repair any drips or leaks.     n/a
Instant hot water tap: Unplug water heater reservoir under the sink.      
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers: Turn off.      
Air conditioning: Turn off at the thermostat, not the breaker.      
Attic fan: Disconnect.      
Swimming pool heater: Turn off or lower the temperature. (Leave the pump on.)      

Appliances

Item To do Done Back to normal
Refrigerator: Empty completely and turn thermostat to warmest setting, or
Empty completely, unplug or switch off at breaker and prop the door open, or
Leave at normal settings.		      
Second fridge: As above. Consider leaving it unplugged after you get back. Better yet, check into our Fridge Buy-Back program. If you can get rid of it, you'll save up to $85 a year.
Freezer (if emptied): Unplug.      
Clocks (electric): Unplug.
List below.		      
Clock 1: (room)      
Clock 2: (room)      
Clock 3: (room)      
Clock 4: (room)      
Appliances with clocks: Unplug.      
Microwave      
Coffee maker      
Other:      
Other:      
Electric blankets (winter): Ensure all are turned off.      
Waterbeds: Lower temperature by 5C (10F) and cover with extra quilts, or
Cover with extra quilts but leave at usual temperature, as it could take a while to regain a comfortable temperature.		      

Lighting

Item To do Done Back to normal
Set up lamps on timers for security*      
Outdoor lights: Connect to a timer, motion sensor or photocell, a one-time job you can leave that way when you return.*     n/a
Night lights: Unplug.      

Electronic devices

Item To do Done Back to normal
TV: Unplug. (List TVs below.)      
TV 1 (room):      
TV 2 (room):      
TV 3 (room):      
TV 4 (room):      
VCR: Unplug any that are not set to record while you are away (list below).      
VCR 1 (room):      
VCR 2 (room):      
VCR 3 (room):      
VCR 4 (room):      
Cable TV converter box: Unplug, unless this will affect your VCR programs.      
Satellite TV dish: Unplug, unless this will affect your VCR programs.      
Stereo: Unplug.      
Computer, printer and other peripherals: Unplug.      

Other

Item To do Done Back to normal
Window coverings: Leave blinds and curtains closed, unless you have someone coming in during the day to open them.*      
Rechargers and cordless devices (with transformer boxes): Unplug. (List below.)      
Recharger 1:      
Recharger 2:      
Recharger 3:      
Recharger 4: