Here Are Eight Ways for Preparing Your HVAC System Before a Vacation
Summer vacations are the perfect chance to unwind and break away from the daily grind. Prior to departure, ensure that the house and HVAC system are prepared for while you’re gone. A little preparation goes a long way toward preventing costly damage and keeping your home safe while you’re away. Use the following eight useful tips to get your HVAC system ready for vacation so your first day back is smooth and stress-free.
1. Check the Ventilation Registers to Make Sure They’re Open and Unobstructed
Blocked vents lead to uneven temperatures and extra stress on your HVAC system. To avoid this, verify that all vents 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 too warm or cold.
2. Fix Air Leaks and Drafts
Check windows and doors for drafts before leaving on vacation. Closing up these leaks improves your home’s insulation efficiency and helps ease some of the stress on your HVAC system. Simple fixes such as caulking stationary joints and adding weatherstripping seal windows and doors better. These easy jobs make a big difference in maintaining stable indoor temperatures.
3. Use Your Curtains and Drapes Wisely
Direct sunlight hitting any uncovered windows adds a lot of heat to your home, making your air conditioning to work much longer and harder in the summer. Pull down the blinds, any drapes or even sunshades to block out more of that sunlight during the hottest parts of the day, keeping your home cooler and reducing the stress it leaves on your AC.
4. Shut Down Electrical Devices and Water Supply
To further reduce power consumption and lower the chances of electrical damage, unplug the appliances and other electronics you won’t use before it’s time to leave. This means things like televisions, laptops, video game systems and most small household appliances. Keeping these devices plugged into surge protectors makes it easy to turn off the electricity to them all simultaneously.
You might also want to shut off the main water valve or just the water supply to specific fixtures of your plumbing system by turning the valve on the wall behind them. This proactive step helps secure your house from potential leaks and major water damage if you’re unable to address them right away.
5. Clean the Area Around the Outdoor Unit
Alongside a technician’s inspection, you can do your part to improve efficiency by clearing out leaves, rocks or other yard debris around the outdoor condensing unit. Ahead of your trip, take a few minutes to rinse dirt and dust off and sweep debris about 3 feet away. This easy DIY chore can help your system run more efficiently and prevent any issues while you’re away.
6. Use Energy-Efficient Settings for Your Thermostat
Tweaking your thermostat settings is an effective option to conserve power and rein in utility bills while you’re out of town. Set your thermostat around 85 degrees Fahrenheit when away during the summer to reduce energy waste without overheating your home.
For even more benefits, consider installing a smart thermostat before your vacation. This device allows you to adjust your home’s temperature as long as you have an internet connection via a smartphone app. You can fine-tune the settings based on changes in weather and get automatic notifications if any unexpected problems appear.
To ensure a comfortable return, access and adjust your smart thermostat to start cooling your home for a while before you’ve arrived. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, reach out to a friend and ask them to handle changing the thermostat. This way, you can return to a cozy house, and still be saving on energy bills for the days or weeks during your absence.
7. Request a Professional HVAC Tune-Up
One of the best ways to help your HVAC system run smoothly is to set up a maintenance visit leading up to your trip. A professional HVAC technician can check for signs of trouble, service key components, and resolve any issues found during the inspection. This forward-thinking strategy reduces the risk of sudden breakdowns and ensures best performance.
8. Remember to Make Arrangements for Pets and Plants
If you have pets or even indoor plants that remain in your home while you’re on vacation, take them into account when setting the thermostat’s schedule during your absence. The recommended 85 degrees F might be excessive for them. Board your pets if you can, or get a friend or neighbor to pet sit and make sure the plants are watered. Offer some directions on paper for changing the temperature if they need them.
Let Us Help You Prepare for Vacation
No matter if you’re eagerly awaiting your dream vacation or just came back to discover your HVAC system not working, Motta Heating and Air Conditioning can offer Expert support. We pride ourselves on delivering speedy, safe solutions to all your comfort problems.
Nothing is more important to our ACE-certified technicians and installers than your total satisfaction. If you ready for an appointment for AC maintenance 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 life and home comfort.
