Green-Travel-Tips
To Follow Before You Go

Put these pre-vacation-planning tips to good use before you leave
on that holiday you've saved and waited patiently for
all year.

It's nice to put your stresses and worries of everyday life
aside for a period of time, and head out to a getaway location
for fun in the sun, or any place that provides peace and quiet
and some well deserved relaxation. We all need that, and it
takes sometimes a fair amount of planning and especially saving
hard-earned money all year to make your dream vacation come true.


"Now, imagine being called home to take care of a terrible and costly emergency?"

Before you leave home, get the most out of that hard-earned
money by implementing some good green-travel-tips that won't
needlessly cost you while you are away, but may save money
instead.


Green-travel-tips about air-conditioning: Whether you are away for
a few days or a few weeks, your air-conditioning doesn't need to be
running for nothing. Turn it down, or better yet, a thermostat that
is programmable gives you the ability to set up the system
to come back on just before you arrive home from holidays.


Keep the heat out. Cover the windows with good shades,
drapes or curtains. When the AC comes on, it won't have to
work too hard to cool off the house.

Heard of phantom power? These are appliances that
continue to draw power after that have been seemingly switched
off. Take a walk through your home before you leave. Unplug
your kitchen appliances and your home entertainment units
manually if they aren't already plugged into power strips
that you can turn off.

Turn the icemaker off to prevent flooding.

If you are on electric heat, turn off the circuit breaker. If
it's winter where you live, be careful not to turn your heat
down too low. You don't want the upset of frozen pipes.

Turn your hot water heater down. A good "before you leave"
green-travel-tip to remember to save on electricity is this
one for sure.

Turn down the waterbed by 10 degrees.

Check for fire hazzards. Make sure there there is nothing
flammable near or covering heat vents.

Make sure you have all of your home-insurance affairs in order.

Make sure someone has your contact information in case there
is an emergency at your home.


Deter the burglars. A single light left on will deter the
burglars, but maybe only for a short time.

There are light devices you can purchase that go a step further
to discourage criminals that just might be onto the pattern of
one light. These devices turn the lights on and off automatically
which gives your house an even more lived-in look. Not only
will it confuse the would-be burglar, it will save money on
your hydro bill.

There are also light-timers with rotary dials and numerous
buttons enabling lights to go off and on in different spots
many times during the course of the day. Some people feel
even more secure with this type of device and energy saver.

Be sure your valuables are well hidden just in case. Don't
forget to turn on your alarm system, and make sure all
entrances to your home are securely locked.

Let your local Police Department know you will be away.
They may gladly be happy to take an occasional drive around
your property for a quick home-security-check.


Clean out the refrigerator. Don't waste energy keeping
out-of-date items cold.

Save on wasting paper, and save trees. Be sure to
cancel your newspaper and flyer deliveries while you are
gone. Or, ask a neighbour to faithfully pick up your papers
and mail.

If you are going to be away for a significant period of time,
check into having cable, satellite, and telephone services
temporarily suspended for a reduced rate.

If you aren't going to be gone too long, be sure your answering
machine is set to pick up in a timely manner.


Take care of your plants. Don't come home to dried
out dead plants. You invest alot of money over time in your
houseplants. Make sure they stay hydrated with a slow-release
watering device. There are models you can purchase that will
keep your plants healthy and happy for as long as four weeks.

Remember, your plants are keeping your air purified as well
while you are gone.

Make sure someone is watering your lawn and outdoor vegetables
and flower gardens and pots.

Get rid of your garbage. Don't attract unwanted animals
if there are any around to household garbage, and cause damage
to your property in the process.


By following these simple green-travel-tips, your home will
operate in an energy efficient manner and not be draining
your wallet while you are gone. You want to be able to afford
a vacation next year too!

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