10 Appliances You Should Always Unplug Before Vacation

Your appliances are the last thing you should worry about while you’re away on vacation, which is why knowing which ones to unplug before you leave is key. While some appliances such as a refrigerator and a freezer need to stay running while you’re away, there are others that you should unplug before leaving for an extended amount of time. This is not just to protect your home from a fire hazard or water damage, but to conserve energy and be more economical as well. Even when an appliance is not actively being used, it still uses power which will be reflected in your energy bills.

To enjoy a stress-free vacation and avoid any unpleasant surprises or potentially costly damage upon your return home, use this checklist of appliances and electronic devices that should be unplugged before you head out on your trip.

1. Kitchen Countertop Appliances

Unplug small kitchen countertop appliances such as coffee makers, microwaves, electric kettles, and toasters. These are appliances that we typically keep plugged in at all times because some (like a microwave) have a digital clock that’s convenient to have displayed. Even though they’re not being used while you’re away, these appliances still use power, so unplugging them while you’re on vacation is a smart way to conserve energy.

2. TVs, Cable Boxes, and WiFi Routers

Your TVs, various cable boxes, and Wi-Fi routers use up energy even when they’re not actively being used, as evidenced by their various lights that are constantly on. You should periodically unplug these three items anyway to refresh them and maintain their good working condition, but it’s particularly important that you unplug them before you leave for vacation.

3. Computers

Protect a desktop computer as well as a charging laptop from a power surge by unplugging it before you leave for vacation. A computer continues to use up energy when plugged in and voltage and heat continue to flow into the appliances, which can be potentially damaging to the computer and increase the risk of a fire. It’s also using up energy and adding to your bills. The same goes for any electronics associated with computers, such as a printer.

4. All Chargers

Whether it’s a laptop or a stick vacuum charger, make sure that you unplug all chargers before you leave. While chargers are designed with safety in mind, they should technically be unplugged once the device reaches a full charge, and definitely when you leave for vacation to avoid a fire hazard and damage to the appliances.

5. Gaming Consoles

Similar to your entertainment system, a gaming console uses energy whenever it’s plugged in, so it’s smart to unplug it when you go on vacation. As a general rule of thumb, you can unplug electrical appliances that are unnecessary to the maintenance of your home while you’re away.

6. Dishwasher

Avoid costly water damage and a very unpleasant surprise upon your return home from vacation by unplugging the dishwasher and turning off the water supply altogether. Additionally, prevent any foul odors or mildew from forming by leaving the dishwasher door slightly open to allow for good ventilation.

7. Washer and Dryer

Stay on the safe side and unplug your washer and dryer before you leave. Both of these laundry room appliances use up energy while plugged in and the dryer in particular can be a serious fire hazard. In addition to unplugging the dryer, clean it before leaving (and regularly throughout the year) to remove lint and dust buildup. When lint and dust are left to collect over time, they increase the risk of the dryer starting a fire.

8. Air Purifiers and Fans

Since appliances like air purifiers and fans are not essential to your home’s maintenance while you’re out of town, play it safe and unplug them before you leave to decrease your energy bill and risk of electrical fire. This includes all sizes of air purifiers, as well as tabletop and tower fans.

9. Electric Toothbrushes

Unplug any small bathroom appliances that you typically charge daily, such as an electric toothbrush. If you’re not taking these items with you when you travel, make sure to not only remove the appliances from their chargers but to unplug the chargers as well.

10. Space Heater

If you are traveling in the winter and have one or multiple space heaters in your home, make sure to unplug them all. They continue to drain the energy supply when plugged in, therefore costing you money in energy bills even when you’re away on vacation. They can also be an extremely dangerous fire hazard when left plugged in as they produce a lot of heat when on. Even when turned off, space heaters can still cause a fire if there is a power surge.