It’s so exciting! Your long-awaiting vacation is coming up. You’ve done your planning, tested your alarm system and alerted the right people (while never giving away your holiday plans to the wrong people). Good job!

But what about your appliances? Is it a good, or bad, idea to switch them all off when you’re away?

Well yes… and no. Here is a couple of considerations:

UNPLUGGING YOUR APPLIANCES SAVES YOU ENERGY.

Many of the appliances you use at home consume loads of energy. And if you are going to be away from your home for a few days, you can save a substantial chunk on your electricity bill by switching them off when your family is not around to use them.

Most appliances consume energy even when on standby mode. A good rule of thumb is that if the appliance has a lighted display or button, it’s adding to your electricity bill. For instance, a microwave consumes energy to keep its clock on. And your chargers for mobile phones, tablets and PC’s consume large amounts of energy even when plugged in but not charging.

So start by unplugging all unnecessary appliances before you leave. Remember to also take a walk through your garage to check. By doing this, you not only save on energy consumption but also electricity bills. Who wouldn’t want to save a buck or two when your holiday plans have probably already strained your budget.

FOR SAFETY PURPOSES.

Electric appliances are prone to many risks associated with electric shock or short circuits in case of power surges caused by for example load-shedding or lightning strikes.

The fact that you won’t be around to manage any potential damage from load-shedding can cause more than a couple of restless nights. It could lead to appliance damage, even fires. Have a look at our article on how to avoid power surges for more. unplug my appliances

Unplug as many appliances as you can from the wall to avoid damage done by power surges.

AND MY GEYSER?

Personally, we always recommend switching off the geyser at the main board when going away for an extended period. Geysers also carry the additional risk of bursting or dripping while you’re away – problems that could be costly to sort out when left unattended.

BUT DON’T UNPLUG ALL APPLIANCES.

To keep your home and property safe, a couple of appliances need to continue functioning. This includes your fridge and freezer, alarm system, electric doors, timed lights, security cameras and electric fencing.

Basically, anything that keeps your home hygienic and safe while you’re away.

We hope you have a great holiday! And remember that we’re right there for you if you ever need any electrical problems sorted.

ELECTRO SURGEON IS ON CALL 24/7

We know you have choices. You can get electrical services from numerous electrical companies. However, we’re convinced that when it comes to providing the best service, we’re your only real choice.

Providing a superior level of customer service is our all-consuming passion, and an achievement we take immense pride in. We provide top of the range, security-verified, professional electricians who are totally committed to serving you better than anyone else. That’s what The Electro Surgeon is all about!

Some of our services include:

• Emergency 24 Hour Electrical Services
• COC’s – Certificates of Compliance
• Security Lighting
• Electric Fencing
• Garage Door & Gate Automation
• Lightning Arrester (to protect against lightning)
• Surge Arrester (to protect against voltage spikes)
• Earth Leakage and Tripping Detection
• Power Outages & Failures
• Swimming Pool Motors
• Solar Power

Find our full list of services here. Call us today on 0861 353 287, or fill in your details here and we’ll call you back within 15 minutes.