Here Are Eight Ways to Set the HVAC System for Vacation

Summer vacations are a time to relax and enjoy a break from the day to day. Prior to departure, ensure your home and HVAC are prepared for your absence. Some prep work goes a long way toward preventing costly damage and keeping your home safe while you’re away. Use the following eight handy tips to get your HVAC system ready for vacation so your first day back is easy and trouble-free.

1. Tune Up Your HVAC System

One of the best things you can do to keep your HVAC in top shape is to set up a maintenance visit ahead of your vacation. A professional HVAC technician will inspect your system, clean crucial components, and fix any problems they find. This preventive measure minimizes the chance of surprise equipment failure and maintains system efficiency.

2. Clear Debris from the Outdoor Unit

Along with a technician’s inspection, you can also help protect system performance by clearing out leaves, dirt or grass clippings near the outdoor cabinet near the house. Before heading to the airport, spend some time to spray it with the hose and clear any remaining debris. This simple step can help protect operational efficiency and limit the risk of problems while the house is empty.

3. Ensure Your Vents are Clear and Open

Obstructed vents often result in inconsistent airflow and unnecessary strain on your HVAC system. Before you leave, ensure that all registers are fully opened and not covered up by large pieces of furniture, rugs or heavy drapes. This maintains proper air circulation and prevents any specific room of your home from feeling excessively hot or cold.

4. Follow Recommendations for Thermostat Settings During a Vacation

Adjusting your thermostat is an easy way to conserve power and keep energy costs in check while away on vacation. Set your thermostat around 85 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re about to leave to save on cooling costs without overheating your home.

For even more benefits, think about getting a smart thermostat before your vacation. This device enables you to manage the settings no matter where you are via a tablet or smartphone. You can fine-tune the settings based on weather forecasts and get automatic notifications if any issues pop up.

To guarantee a pleasant return home, direct your smart thermostat to start the AC for at least a few hours before you’ve arrived. If you haven’t installed a smart thermostat yet, reach out to a friend and ask them to set the temperatures while you’re gone. With their help, you can return to a cozy house, while still saving on energy bills for however long you’re gone.

5. Set Temperatures with Pets and Plants in Mind

If you have cats, dogs or even indoor plants that stay at home while you’re on vacation, take them into consideration when setting the thermostat’s schedule during your absence. The suggested 85 degrees F might be excessive for them. Board your pets if you can, or ask a friend or neighbor to look after them and water your plants. Write down a few guidelines for updating thermostat settings if you need to.

6. Use Window Coverings Strategically

Sunlight streaming through bare windows adds a lot of heat to your home, making your air conditioning to work harder in the summer. Pull down the blinds, window treatments like curtains or even shades to block out more of that sunlight during the afternoon, avoiding the extra heat and lessening the strain on your cooling.

7. Fix Air Leaks and Drafts

Check windows and doors for cracks or gaps before heading out. Making sure these gaps are sealed strengthens the house’s insulation and can help reduce the extra burden on your HVAC system. Easy solutions include applying caulk to the joints and installing weatherstripping tighten up the window and door seals. These steps can really help in keeping indoor temperatures more consistent.

8. Shut Down Electrical Devices and Water Supply

To save even more energy and lower the chances of electrical damage, unplug the appliances and other electronics you won’t use before you leave. This includes things like television sets, computers, gaming consoles and minor kitchen gadgets. Plugging as many of them as you can into surge protectors makes it much easier to cut the power to everything all at once.

It’s also smart to shut off the main water valve or just the water supply to specific plumbing fixtures and appliances using the valve on the wall closest to them. This proactive step helps secure your house from leaks that could cause significant damage if you’re unable to get to them in time.

Ensure a Relaxing Vacation with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

Whether you’re counting down the days before your dream vacation or just came back to discover your HVAC system not working, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. We take pride in providing speedy, safe solutions to every one of your comfort problems.

Nothing matters more to our ACE-certified HVAC Experts than your complete satisfaction. If you ready for an air conditioning checkup before you leave town, please contact us to learn more. We’ll do whatever it takes to have a positive impact in your home comfort and day to day.