Here Are Eight Ways to Prepare Your HVAC System Before a Vacation
Taking a break in summer is an opportunity to unwind and enjoy a break from the everyday hustle. Before you head out, ensure that the house and HVAC system are set for while you’re gone. Some prep work goes a long way toward avoiding costly damage and keeping your home safe until you return. Here are eight practical tips to set up your HVAC system for vacation so your return home is seamless and worry-free.
1. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance
A great way to help your HVAC system run smoothly is to schedule a maintenance visit leading up to your trip. A qualified technician can inspect your system, clean important parts, and address any issues they find. This preventive measure lowers the likelihood of sudden breakdowns and keeps your system running efficiently.
2. Clean the Area Around the Outdoor Unit
In addition to a qualified maintenance visit, you can also help protect system performance by clearing out leaves, rocks or grass clippings near the outdoor unit of the HVAC system. Ahead of your trip, take a few minutes to rinse dirt and dust off and sweep debris about 3 feet away. This simple step can help protect operational efficiency and limit the risk of problems while the house is empty.
3. Check the Ventilation Registers to Make Sure They’re Open and Unobstructed
Obstructed vents lead to uneven temperatures and extra stress on your HVAC system. To avoid this, verify that all registers are fully opened and not obstructed by furniture, rugs or heavy drapes. This preserves normal airflow and keeps any specific room of your home from feeling excessively hot or cold.
4. Use Energy-Efficient Settings for Your Thermostat
Adjusting your thermostat is a simple method to conserve power and rein in utility bills while you’re out of town. Set your thermostat around 85 degrees Fahrenheit when traveling in the summer to reduce energy waste without allowing the interior to overheat.
If you want an easier time setting these schedules up, think about getting a smart thermostat before your vacation. A smart thermostat enables you to manage schedules and settings from anywhere via a tablet or smartphone. You can modify any schedules based on the day’s weather and receive alerts if any issues pop up.
To make sure you come back to total comfort, access and adjust your smart thermostat to begin cooling things down a few hours before you get home. If you can’t access your thermostat remotely, consider asking a friend to adjust the settings for you. That way, you can come back to a comfortable home, even after cutting down on energy costs for however long you’re gone.
5. Make Arrangements for Pets and Plants
If you have cats, dogs or even just one or two houseplants that stay at home while you’re on vacation, take them into consideration when setting the thermostat during your absence. The suggested 85 degrees F can be uncomfortable for them. Arrange boarding for pets if possible, or ask a friend or neighbor to take care of them or make sure the plants are watered. Write down a few guidelines for changing the temperature if you need to.
6. Use Your Curtains and Drapes Wisely
Direct sunlight hitting any bare windows increases the indoor temperature, causing your AC system to work much longer and harder in the summer. Close the blinds, window treatments like curtains or even shades to keep sunlight out during the mid to late afternoon, maintaining a cooler home and easing the burden on your air conditioner.
7. Fix Air Leaks and Drafts
Inspect all your windows and doors for cracks or gaps before heading out. Fixing drafty windows strengthens the house’s insulation and helps ease some of the stress on the HVAC. Simple fixes like applying caulk to the joints and using weatherstripping help windows and doors close more tightly. These steps can really help in keeping indoor temperatures more consistent.
8. Shut Down Electrical Devices and Water Supply
To conserve additional energy and lower the chances of electrical damage, disconnect all unnecessary utilities, appliances and electronics before it’s time to leave. This includes things like televisions, PCs, video game systems and minor kitchen gadgets. Using surge protectors for these devices makes it easy to cut the power to everything all at once.
It’s also a good idea to close the valve for your water main or cut off the water supply to specific fixtures of your plumbing system with the valve on the wall behind them. This proactive step helps safeguard your home from leaks that could cause significant damage if you’re not there to address them right away.
Allow Us to Help with Vacation Prep
Whether you’re eagerly awaiting your dream vacation or just arrived home to find your HVAC system not working, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can help. We take pride in providing fast, long-lasting solutions to all your comfort problems.
Nothing matters more to our ACE-certified HVAC Experts than your comfort and complete satisfaction. If you ready for an HVAC tune-up before you leave town, don’t hesitate to contact us to arrange for a technician to come out. We’re here to have a positive impact in your home comfort and day to day.