Advice · Second home · 5 min read
Closing up the housewith peace of mind.
Many homes around the Gulf stand empty for part of the year. A few good habits before you leave, and an installation designed for your absence, spare you unpleasant surprises when you return.
Maxime LyonsElectrician in La Croix-Valmer
Before you leave
- Switch off at the panel any circuits that do not need to stay live
- Keep power to those that do: alarm, fridge if you leave it running, pump or scheduled equipment
- Unplug sensitive appliances in case of storms
- Check that no outdoor socket is left exposed to the rain
This is where a clearly labelled panel makes all the difference: when every circuit has a clear name, you switch off exactly what you need without hesitation, and turn everything back on just as easily when you return.
While you are away
A house left empty for weeks is more exposed. A well-placed alarm, with detectors covering the key routes through the house and contacts on doors and windows, raises the alert as soon as an intrusion is detected. Scheduled lighting also gives the impression that someone is home.
Depending on the equipment, the alarm can send an alert to your phone: invaluable peace of mind when you are far away.
Before you come back
- Have the air conditioning serviced in spring, before you arrive
- Test the outdoor lighting, which winter often puts to the test
- Have an RCD checked if it was already tripping last season
Arranging work remotely
If you are not on site, mention it when you first get in touch: the work is arranged around your availability, and you receive a clear report of what has been done.
