Try These Eight Tips for Preparing the HVAC System Before a Vacation
Summer vacations are a time to recharge and take a much-needed rest from the everyday hustle. Prior to departure, double-check your home and HVAC are ready for your absence. A little preparation goes a long way toward avoiding expensive problems and ensuring a safe, comfortable home until you return. Use the following eight practical tips to prepare your HVAC system for vacation so your return home is seamless and worry-free.
1. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance
One of the best things you can do to keep your HVAC in top shape is to schedule a maintenance visit leading up to your trip. A professional HVAC technician will examine your HVAC, clean crucial components, and fix any problems they find. This preventive measure minimizes the chance of unexpected problems and maintains system efficiency.
2. Clear Weeds and Yard Debris from the Outdoor Unit
Along with a qualified maintenance visit, you can do your part to improve efficiency by removing any leaves, dirt or grass clippings near the outdoor condensing unit. Before heading to the airport, set aside a few moments to hose down the unit and clear any remaining debris. This easy DIY chore can help protect operational efficiency and avoid any problems while you’re gone.
3. Make Sure Your Vents are Open and Unblocked
Blocked vents often result in inconsistent airflow and extra stress on your HVAC system. Before you leave, verify that all vents are fully opened and not obstructed by furniture, the carpet or curtains. This preserves normal airflow and stops any portion of your home from becoming too warm or cold.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Settings for Your Thermostat
Updating the settings on your thermostat is a simple method to conserve power and rein in utility bills while out and about. Set your thermostat around 85 degrees when you’re about to leave to reduce energy waste without allowing the interior to overheat.
If energy efficiency is a top priority, think about getting a smart thermostat before your vacation. The programming in these newer thermostats allows you to adjust your home’s temperature while you’re gone via the mobile app. You can modify any schedules based on changes in weather and be alerted right away if any problems happen.
To guarantee a pleasant return home, access and adjust your smart thermostat to begin cooling things down for at least a few hours before you’ve arrived. If you can’t access your thermostat remotely, ask a neighbor to handle changing the thermostat. This way, you can return to a cozy house, while still minimizing energy waste for the days or weeks during your absence.
5. Plan for Your Pets and Plants
If you have pets or even indoor plants that stay at home while you are gone, take them into account when adjusting the temperature during your absence. The official DOE recommendation of 85 degrees F can be uncomfortable for them. Board your pets if you can, or get a friend or neighbor to take care of them or tend to your plants. Provide instructions for adjusting the thermostat if needed.
6. Use Window Coverings Strategically
Sunlight streaming through bare windows adds a lot of heat to your home, causing your cooling to run much longer in the summer. Close the blinds, any curtains or even sunshades to keep sunlight out during the afternoon, maintaining a cooler home and reducing the stress it leaves on your AC.
7. Seal Leaks and Drafts
Inspect all your windows and doors for drafts before you leave. Making sure these gaps are sealed enhances air tightness and can help reduce the extra burden on the heating and cooling. Easy solutions such as applying caulk to the joints and installing weatherstripping seal windows and doors better. These easy jobs can really help in ensuring consistent temperatures while you’re gone.
8. Power Down Electronics and Turn Off the Water Supply
To conserve additional energy and minimize the risk of electrical issues, disconnect all unnecessary utilities, appliances and electronics before it’s time to leave. This includes things like TVs, laptops, gaming devices and small kitchen appliances. Plugging as many of them as you can into surge protectors makes it much easier to switch off the power to everything all at once.
It’s also a good idea to shut off the main water valve or just the water supply to specific plumbing fixtures and appliances by turning the valve on the wall nearby. This preventive measure helps secure your house from water damage or broken pipes if you’re unable to address them right away.
We Can Help You Get Ready for Vacation
Regardless of if you’re looking forward to your dream vacation or just arrived home to find your HVAC system not working, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can offer solutions. We take pride in providing speedy, safe solutions to all your comfort problems.
Nothing is more important to our ACE-certified HVAC Experts than your total satisfaction. If you ready for an appointment for AC maintenance before you leave town, please contact us to schedule an appointment. We’ll go above and beyond to make a meaningful difference in your life and home comfort.