Try These Eight Tips for Preparing Your HVAC System for Vacation
Taking a break in summer is the perfect chance to relax and enjoy a break from the daily grind. Prior to departure, make sure that the house and HVAC are prepared for while you’re gone. Some prep work goes a long way toward avoiding expensive problems and ensuring a safe, comfortable home until you’re back home. Use the following eight handy tips to set up your HVAC system for vacation so your return home is seamless and trouble-free.
1. Request a Professional HVAC Tune-Up
One of the best things you can do to ensure your HVAC runs efficiently is to schedule a maintenance visit ahead of your vacation. A professional HVAC technician will inspect your system, clean important parts, and address any issues they find. This proactive approach lowers the likelihood of surprise equipment failure and ensures best performance.
2. Clean the Area Around the Outdoor Unit
Along with a technician’s inspection, you can also help protect system performance by removing weeds, rocks or other yard debris near the outdoor cabinet near the house. A few days before you leave, take a few minutes to hose down the unit and clear any remaining debris. This simple step can help protect operational efficiency and limit the risk of problems while you’re gone.
3. Check the Ventilation Registers to Make Sure They’re Open and Unobstructed
Obstructed vents often result in inconsistent airflow and extra stress on your HVAC system. Before you leave, check that all vents are clear and not covered up by large pieces of furniture, rugs or curtains. This ensures steady airflow and prevents any specific room of your home from being too warm or cold.
4. Adjust Your Thermostat Smartly
Tweaking your thermostat settings is an easy way to conserve power and rein in utility bills while out and about. Set your thermostat around 85°F when away during the summer to reduce energy waste without overheating your home.
For even more benefits, think about getting a smart thermostat before your vacation. A smart thermostat enables you to manage the settings while you’re gone via a smartphone app. You can modify any schedules based on changes in weather and receive alerts if any issues pop up.
To make sure you come back to total comfort, set your smart thermostat to start cooling your home for at least a few hours before you get home. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, ask a neighbor to adjust the settings for you. This way, you can come back to a comfortable home, and still be cutting down on energy costs for however long you’re gone.
5. Don’t Forget About Pets and Houseplants
If you have cats, dogs or even just a few houseplants that remain in your home while you are gone, keep them in mind when setting the thermostat’s schedule during your absence. The recommended 85 degrees Fahrenheit can be too warm for them. Consider boarding any pets, or check with friends and neighbors to take care of them or water your plants. Write down a few guidelines for setting the thermostat if you need to.
6. Use Your Curtains and Drapes Wisely
Sunlight streaming through open windows adds a lot of heat to your home, causing your AC system to work much longer and harder in the summer. Close the blinds, window treatments like curtains or even shades to block out more of that sunlight during the hottest parts of the day, maintaining a cooler home and reducing the stress it leaves on your cooling.
7. Seal Leaks and Drafts
Examine the windows and doors for cracks or gaps before leaving on vacation. Fixing drafty windows enhances air tightness and helps ease some of the stress on your HVAC system. Simple fixes include applying caulk to the joints and adding weatherstripping help windows and doors close more tightly. These steps can really help in ensuring consistent temperatures while you’re gone.
8. Shut Down Electrical Devices and Water Supply
To save even more energy and avoid any electrical problems, unplug the appliances and other electronics you won’t use before you leave. This includes things like TVs, laptops, gaming consoles and minor kitchen gadgets. Using surge protectors for these devices makes it easy to turn off the electricity to them all simultaneously.
It’s also smart to turn the main water shut-off valve or cut off the water supply to specific plumbing fixtures and appliances with the valve on the wall nearby. This proactive step helps protect your home from leaks that could cause significant damage if you’re not there to catch them.
Let Us Help You Prepare for Vacation
Whether you’re looking forward to your dream vacation or just came back to discover your HVAC system not working, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can offer solutions. We pride ourselves on delivering speedy, safe solutions to any and all your comfort problems.
Nothing matters more to our ACE-certified HVAC Experts than your complete satisfaction. If you decide you need an appointment for AC maintenance before you leave town, please contact us to arrange for a technician to come out. We’re here to make a meaningful difference in your life and home comfort.