We are in the holiday season and if you plan to go out in the next few days, you should take into account a series of things to leave your house properly disconnected, and not generate expenses. Keep reading to find out how to turn off the circuit breakers, or commonly known as “leads”, in your home correctly. This way, when you go on a trip or leave home for several days on vacation, you can rest assured that the electricity will be off throughout the house or in parts of it.
It’s the eternal question before going on holiday: is it better to turn off the appliances, or is it better to lower the differentials? The first thing is to know how to differentiate one thing from another. When we lower the differentials, we cut off the electricity in the whole house, so this may not always be the best option. There is a lot of flour to cut, and the savings at home when you go on holiday are worth it. Keep reading and find out everything.
The importance of knowing how to lower the “weights”
Instead, below the differentials, we have what we commonly know as “leads”. In reality, these levers, separated by the different parts of the house, are called protection magneto-thermals, and it is a good idea to turn them off because when you have them up, they are on standby, generating an expense.
So, do I have to turn off all the “circuit breakers” when I go on holiday? Not at all. The circuit breakers, or more correctly called “magnetothermics” are what you have to turn off, but not all of them. If they are separated by sections: “oven”, “fridge”, “washing machine”, etc. it is because they will allow you to turn off some but not all of them. Here I will tell you what is the most convenient thing to do, with each of the circuit breakers:
- Refrigerator and freezer: If you are going to disconnect them, make sure you empty them completely and clean them to avoid bad smells and the proliferation of bacteria. Another option is to leave the refrigerator in “vacation” mode, if your model allows it, so that it works with minimum energy consumption.
- Router and connected devices: If you use security cameras, automated irrigation systems or any smart device that depends on an Internet connection, you should leave the router on. You can turn down the switches in areas that do not affect these devices to reduce consumption without losing connectivity.
- Water heater and air conditioning: Electric water heaters and air conditioning systems can consume a significant amount of energy. Turning these devices off while you are away will help you save a lot. Remember to also turn down the corresponding switches to make sure they are not left in standby mode.
- Standby and phantom consumption: Many devices continue to consume energy even when they are turned off, due to standby modes. To avoid this phantom consumption, unplug all non-essential appliances or use power strips with switches to cut off the power to several devices at once.
- Unplug small appliances: Appliances such as coffee makers, microwaves and mobile phone chargers can still use energy if left plugged in. Unplug them to avoid unnecessary charges.
- Turn off your heating and air conditioning: Make sure these systems are completely off, not just on standby, to avoid surprises on your bill.
- Check your electrical panel: identify which switches control each area of your home so you can selectively turn off those that won’t affect essential devices.
Turning off the power before going on holiday is a simple but effective way to reduce electricity consumption and ensure the safety of your home. With these tips, you can enjoy your days off without worrying about what’s happening at home. Happy holidays!
