Heading out on vacation should feel exciting — not stressful. But leaving your home unattended for days or weeks raises real concerns: wasted energy, safety risks, and unexpected utility bills waiting on your return. The good news? A simple checklist before you lock the door can save you money and give you real peace of mind. Here's our expert guide to leaving your home the smart way.
Adjust your thermostat — don't turn it off
It's tempting to shut the HVAC off entirely, but that's actually risky. In summer, extreme indoor heat can damage furniture, electronics, and even trigger mold growth. In winter, pipes can freeze if temperatures drop low enough.
Instead, set your thermostat to a safe standby temperature: 78–85°F in summer, and no lower than 55°F in winter. Note for winter heating, you should take into consideration poor insulation or pipes near exterior walls as you may need to increase to 60°F or higher. If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, set a "vacation mode" so you can even adjust it remotely if a heat wave or cold snap hits unexpectedly.
Pro tip: A smart thermostat can save households a significant amount on heating and cooling costs — and pays for itself quickly, especially during travel.
Turn your water heater to vacation mode
Your water heater works hard every day — even when no one needs hot water. Most modern water heaters have a built-in "vacation" or "away" setting that drops the temperature to a pilot-only level, consuming far less natural gas or electricity while keeping the tank from sitting cold.
If your unit doesn't have a vacation mode, simply dial it down to the lowest temperature setting. This alone can trim a noticeable amount off your gas or electric bill during a week-long trip.
If you're on a natural gas plan through UGIES, your supply continues reliably — but there's no reason to heat water no one's using.
Unplug "vampire" appliances and electronics
Televisions, gaming consoles, coffee makers, microwaves, and chargers all draw a small but continuous amount of electricity just by being plugged in — even in standby mode. This is known as "phantom load" or "vampire power," and it adds up.
Walk through your home before you leave and unplug anything non-essential. Focus on entertainment systems, the office, and the kitchen. Smart power strips make this even easier: they cut power to all devices at once.
The average U.S. home loses around 5-10% of its electricity to idle devices. That's real money to reclaim while you're sipping drinks on a beach.
Secure gas appliances and check for leaks
Before leaving, do a quick walkthrough of all gas appliances — stoves, ovens, fireplaces, and dryers. Make sure all burners and pilot lights are off, and confirm there's no smell of natural gas. If you detect any unusual odor, don't leave until it's been inspected.
It's also wise to know where your home's main gas shutoff valve is located. If you'll be away for an extended period (more than two weeks), consider turning it off as a precaution — though check with a professional if you have appliances that need continuous pilot access.
If you ever suspect a gas leak, evacuate immediately and call your gas utility's emergency line before leaving the property.
Use timers and smart plugs for lights and security
A dark, still home for two weeks is an invitation to opportunistic break-ins. Rather than leaving lights on continuously (which wastes electricity), use plug-in timers or smart plugs to create an occupied-looking schedule. Set lamps in the living room and bedroom to turn on for a few hours each evening.
Smart home systems can even let you control lights, locks, and cameras from your phone no matter where you are in the world — a worthwhile investment if you travel often.
A visible security camera or 'smart home' decal near your entrance is a proven deterrent that costs almost nothing to add.
Arrange for trusted eyes on the property
Technology is great, but a trusted neighbor, friend, or property manager who can physically check in is invaluable. Ask someone to collect mail, check for any obvious issues (leaks, strange smells, fallen branches), and have your contact information if anything seems off.
It also helps to let your immediate neighbors know you'll be away — they'll naturally be more alert and can call you or authorities if something looks wrong.
Ask them to vary their check-in times so the pattern doesn't become predictable from the street.
Shut off water supply to prevent catastrophic leaks
A slow pipe drip or burst while you're away can cause devastating water damage in just a few hours. The simplest protection: shut off your main water supply before leaving. This eliminates the risk entirely and gives you total peace of mind.
If you have an irrigation system or someone watering indoor plants for you, coordinate accordingly — they may need their own access to an outdoor spigot. Newer whole-home water shutoff valves can even be connected to your smart home system so you can manage them remotely.
Even a small, slow leak from a washing machine hose can release hundreds of gallons if left undetected. Shutting off water is the highest-ROI step on this list.
Manage Your Energy Before and After Your Trip
UGI Energy Services provides reliable natural gas, electricity, and renewable energy to homes and businesses across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US. Before you head out, it's a good time to review your current energy plan — flexible pricing options mean you're never paying more than you need to. Want to see what we can offer? Request a free quote today!
Quick Pre-Vacation Checklist
☐ Set thermostat to vacation mode
☐ Lower water heater temperature
☐ Unplug TVs, chargers, and small appliances
☐ Check all gas burners are off
☐ Set light timers for security
☐ Shut off main water supply
☐ Alert a neighbor or hire a house sitter
☐ Pause mail and newspaper delivery
☐ Check smoke and CO detector batteries
☐ Lock all doors, windows, and the garage
☐ Take out perishables from the fridge
☐ Charge your phone for remote monitoring
