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Vacation & Seasonal Use Questions
Will my electric hot water heater use electricity when
I'm away?
If you have an electric water heater it will use less electricity
when you are away than if you were home using hot water. If an
electric water heater is left energized during your vacation it
will continue to maintain the tank temperature, even if you're not
using hot water.
Heat is lost through the insulation and copper pipes that come out
the top. If you are going to be away for more than a few days,
you might want to consider turning your water heater off at the
panel box.
Won't my furnace use less electricity when I'm gone if
I set the thermostat lower?
If the temperature drops while you are way your furnace or
electric heat will still run to maintain the temperature set on
your thermostat. Setting the thermostat lower may save you
money, but this might not always be the case.
Be careful not to set the thermostat so low that a potential
for freezing could occur in your home.
How much will my refrigerator or freezer use when I'm gone?
If refrigerators and freezers are not emptied and turned off
while you are away they will continue to operate in order to
maintain preset temperatures. Other electrical appliances
like clocks, security lights, water heaters and televisions
with an "instant-on" feature will continue to use
electricity if they are not unplugged or shut off at the panel box.
Can I eliminate electricity usage when my house is vacant?
If you are determined to use no electricity during your vacation,
turn off the main breaker in your home. But remember, when
you do this the automatic appliances and lighting will stop.
Your refrigerator and freezer will defrost, your water heater
will not have hot water ready for use upon your return, and
your home may experience freezing problems or be very cold
when you return.
Can I install my own emergency generator?
The National Electric Code (NEC), Article 700-6 and Article
230-83 requires that for safety reasons a "double-pole,
double-throw transfer switch be installed." It is
Shenandoah Valley Electric's recommendation that the transfer
switch be installed by a licensed electrician for safety
reasons as well as for proper application.
Are fireplaces good energy savers?
Not really. In most fireplaces all the energy (heat) from the
burning wood, plus some of the home's other heat, is lost up
the chimney. Open fireplaces act as a vent to the outside
of your home. Therefore, even when the fireplace is not in
use heat can escape through the chimney if the damper in
not tightly closed.
Other FAQs
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