You’ve booked the flights, packed the bags, and set your out-of-office. But before you jet off on your well-earned break, there’s one last thing to do: make sure your house isn’t throwing a party for your electricity bill while you're away.  

At Share Energy, we believe in helping real people get the most out of their energy — even when you’re not using it. So, we’ve pulled together our top holiday energy-saving tips to help you save a little while you relax a lot.  

1. Switch it off — properly. 

Standby mode is sneaky. Devices like TVs, gaming consoles, coffee machines, and microwaves still draw power even when they’re not in use. 

Before you leave, do a sweep of your sockets and switch off anything that doesn’t need to stay plugged in. (Your Wi-Fi might need to stay on if you’ve got smart tech, but the toaster? Probably not.) 

Did you know? Devices left on standby can add up to £50 a year to your bill. 

2. Adjust your heating and hot water settings 

Going away in summer? Turn your heating off completely. 
Heading off in winter? Don’t just turn it off — set it to frost protection mode or a low setting, especially if temperatures might drop while you’re away. 

And don’t forget your hot water tank! If no one’s around to need it, there's no reason to keep it toasty. 

3. Empty (and boost) your fridge game 

Going for more than a few days? Consider using up the perishables and turning your fridge off entirely (leave the door open a crack so it doesn’t go musty). If that’s not realistic: 

4. Use timers and smart plugs wisely 

If you’re using lights or devices for security while you’re away, that’s smart. But it’s even smarter to use timers or smart plugs so they only run for short periods in the evening, not all day long. 

Tip: Smart plugs can also let you check and switch things off from abroad — perfect if you have a "Did I leave the iron on?" moment halfway to Tenerife. 

5. Close blinds and curtains (but not all of them)