Heading off for a long-overdue break? The last thing you want to be worrying about is your energy bills while you’re away! It’s time to switch off, and we don’t just mean from work!

Even though you’re not using your appliances, they can still cost you money while you’re relaxing on the beach! So, to make sure your household appliances aren’t disturbing your fun in the sun, here is your guide to what appliances you should turn off and some jobs you should do before you go to help keep costs down.

Turn off and unplug!

Appliances that are on standby or still plugged in can cost you up to £35 a year! Cut some of this down while you’re on your jollies by turning off your appliances and gadgets. Appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers, microwaves, kettles, coffee machines and toasters as well as TVs and laptops can all be switched off and disconnected from the mains. All chargers for mobile phones, tablets, laptops and electrical toothbrushes should all be unplugged too as they can use energy even when they aren’t in use!

Be careful when turning your fridge freezer off though. If you have food you want to keep when you return, it’s worth keeping this plugged in and just having a clear-out before you go. To keep it running efficiently, make sure it’s at least three-quarters full. A good tip is to place some bottles of water inside if it is looking a little empty!

Defrost your fridge freezer

That said, if you have a fridge freezer that needs defrosting, now is the perfect time to do it! Remove all the items from your fridge freezer, turn it off and allow it to defrost before you go away. Just be sure to place a towel underneath and at the sides to catch any excess water and not ruin your floors. This way, you can just leave your fridge switched off until you get back!

Give your appliances a clean

Before your trip is the perfect time to give your appliances some TLC! Maintenance tasks such as cleaning and descaling will help you save money on your energy bills and also means you can return to a clean and tidy home with no bad smells from lingering dirt! Tasks such as descaling your washing machine and dishwasher, cleaning fridge coils and emptying the tumble dryer lint will save energy, keep bad smells at bay and keep your appliance lasting for longer. Take a look at our appliance energy-saving tips to help you keep energy bills down.

Switch off your water

To prevent any unexpected leaks or water damage when you’re away, you can turn off your stopcock to switch your water supply off at the mains. This is usually located in the cupboard under the kitchen sink, bathroom, garage, utility room or under the stairs.

Smart lighting

Home security is a big worry while you’re away as you don’t want outsiders to know that your home is vacant. But, you don’t have to leave the lights on and waste your cash! Instead, invest in some smart lighting. You can then control the lights in your home by your phone meaning you can turn them on just for a couple of hours in the evening and deter any unwanted visitors!Now that you no longer have to worry about how much your appliances are costing you while you’re away, you can relax and enjoy your trip!

For more advice on how to keep your home safe while you’re on holiday, take a look at our top tips!

Tags: appliance advice, Holiday Tips