Vacation mode, activated: Easy energy-saving tips for summer travel

Whether you rent or own, your home still uses electricity when no one’s there. But with a few quick steps, you can lower your bill, save energy and come back to a home that hasn’t been working overtime. Here’s how to prep your place — no matter where you live.

Easy ways to save energy while on vacation

1. Adjust your thermostat or set it and forget it. If you have a smart thermostat, switch it to vacation mode or adjust it from your phone once you’ve hit the road. If you don’t have one, no problem. Just turn your thermostat up a few degrees in the summer or down in the winter, before you leave, to use less energy while you're gone. It’s a small change that can make a real difference.

2. Use smart plugs or power strips. Electronics like TVs, computers and game consoles keep using power even when they’re off. Smart plugs and advanced power strips let you cut that “phantom” energy use — and you don’t have to own your home to use them. Set a timer, unplug remotely or just flip one switch when you walk out the door.

3. Put lights on a timer or schedule. You don’t need to leave lights on the whole time you’re gone. Smart bulbs, plug-in timers or app-connected lights help you turn them on and off at certain times — saving energy while making it look like someone’s still home.

4. Unplug what you don’t need. Before you leave, take a quick lap around your place and unplug anything that doesn’t need to stay on. Chargers, countertop appliances, lamps, fans — it all adds up.

5. Check your water heater if you can. If you have access to your hot water heater, turn it to vacation mode or lower the temp while you’re gone. If you’re renting and can’t make the change, no worries. Just focus on what you can adjust and unplug.

6. Use Time of Day pricing to your advantage. If you’re on our Time of Day pricing plan, you already get lower rates outside the weekday 5–9 p.m. window. Try to run laundry or the dishwasher right before you leave — during off-peak hours — for a little extra savings.

7. Check in while you’re away. PGE’s Customer Dashboard makes it easy to track your home’s energy use, even when you’re out of town. Just log in to your PGE account and you can see daily trends, compare your use over time, and spot if something looks higher than expected. Whether you rent or own, it’s a helpful way to stay on top of your energy use.

The takeaway? A little prep goes a long way.

There are easy ways to save energy while you’re away. Smart plugs, light timers and simple habits like unplugging devices can help you save more and spend less — no fancy setup required. Want more ways to save year-round?

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