With the holiday season now in full swing, it is time to think about all the holiday traveling you might have coming up. What should custom homeowners think about before they go away?
With the holiday season now in full swing, it is time to think about all the holiday traveling you might have coming up. If you already travel over the holidays, you know that there is a lot you have to plan. And now that you have a new custom home, there are a few more things to think about.
The Water
If you’re going to be away during freezing temperatures, it is a good idea to turn off the water to your house. If you leave it on and a pipe freezes and bursts, you could come home to a huge disaster. In most homes, the main water valve will be in the basement or on an outer wall. Just turn the valve until the water is off.
Your Devices
If your home is like most, there are a lot of devices in your home that won’t be traveling with you and don’t need to be on the coffee maker, the microwave, or even your desktop computer. Before you head out, unplug any appliances that won’t be used while you’re away. The “phantom energy” that these appliances use, even when they’re not in use, can account for up to 15% of your energy bill – so make sure they’re not drawing energy while your house is empty.
The Thermostat
One thing you should always do before you travel, that many custom homeowners forget about, is turning down the thermostat. There’s no reason for your house to be heated to the same comfort level as it would if it were occupied. Don’t set it any lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit, to protect your pipes from freezing, but it doesn’t need to be warm either. You can also protect your pipes by opening the cabinet doors so that warmer air can circulate around them.
Clean Up
Before you head out, make sure that you clean up, especially in the kitchen: get rid of any of the leftovers in the fridge that might go bad and make sure you take out the trash. There’s nothing worse than the smell of food that went bad while your house was empty.
Make The House Look Occupied
If you don’t want to leave your porch light on for the whole trip, consider installing timers that will turn your lights on at a certain time. Have a friend come by and collect your mail and newspapers every few days, or have delivery of both paused while you’re away. Taking care of these things will keep the house from looking empty while you’re away.
Custom Homes From Cedar Square Homes
Cedar Square Homes provides a variety of services to our customers, including custom home building to match your needs. We are trusted throughout Maryland for our excellent service and affordable home remodeling prices. Some of the areas we serve throughout the state include Anne Arundel County, Annapolis, Crofton, Severna Park, and Pasadena. Wherever you live, you won’t regret contacting us online or giving us a call at 410-987-9771. To see more examples of our work and stay up to date on our promotions, follow us on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.