Here Are Eight Ways to Prepare Your HVAC System Before a Vacation

Taking a break in summer is a time to relax and take a much-needed rest from the daily grind. But before you leave, make sure your home and HVAC are set for while you’re gone. A bit of planning goes a long way toward avoiding costly damage and keeping your home safe until you’re back home. Try these eight practical tips to set up your HVAC system before a vacation so your return home is smooth and stress-free.

1. Tune Up Your HVAC System

One of the best things you can do to ensure your HVAC runs efficiently is to request a maintenance visit leading up to your trip. A qualified technician can inspect your system, service key components, and resolve any issues found during the inspection. This forward-thinking strategy minimizes the chance of surprise equipment failure and keeps your system running efficiently.

2. Clear Debris from the Outdoor Unit

Alongside a qualified maintenance visit, you can do your part to improve efficiency by removing any leaves, rocks or grass clippings around the outdoor cabinet near the house. A few days before you leave, set aside a few moments to hose down the unit and sweep debris about 3 feet away. This basic task can help your system run more efficiently and limit the risk of problems while you’re gone.

3. Check that Your Vents are Unobstructed

Obstructed vents cause uneven cooling and unnecessary strain on your HVAC system. To avoid this, verify that all the ventilation registers are clear and not obstructed by furniture, the carpet or curtains. This preserves normal airflow and prevents any specific room of your home from being excessively hot or cold.

4. Use Your Thermostat Efficiently

Updating the settings on your thermostat is a simple method to reduce energy waste and lower those energy costs while you’re out of town. Set your thermostat around 85 degrees Fahrenheit when traveling in the summer to minimize cooling an empty house without allowing the interior to overheat.

For even more benefits, look into adding a smart thermostat before your vacation. The programming in these newer thermostats allows you to adjust schedules and settings as long as you have an internet connection via the mobile app. You can keep an eye on the temperature based on weather forecasts and receive alerts if any issues pop up.

To ensure a comfortable return, access and adjust your smart thermostat to begin cooling things down for a while before you get home. If you haven’t installed a smart thermostat yet, consider asking a friend to adjust the settings for you. With their help, you can come back to a comfortable home, 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 just a few houseplants that remain in your home while you’re on vacation, take them into account when setting the thermostat during your absence. The official DOE recommendation of 85 degrees F may be too hot for them. Board your pets if you can, or get a friend or neighbor to pet sit or water your plants. Offer some directions on paper for updating thermostat settings if they need them.

6. Keep the Curtains Closed to Keep Heat Out

Direct sunlight hitting any open windows raises the temperature inside, forcing your air conditioner to work much longer and harder in the summer. Pull down the blinds, any drapes or even shades to avoid extra heat in your home during the afternoon, avoiding the extra heat and lessening the strain on your cooling.

7. Close Gaps and Drafts

Check windows and doors for cracks or gaps before heading out. Fixing drafty windows improves your home’s insulation efficiency and lowers some of the strain on the heating and cooling. Quick DIY fixes include applying caulk to the joints and installing weatherstripping tighten up the window and door seals. These easy jobs can have a significant impact in maintaining stable indoor temperatures.

8. Shut Down Electrical Devices and Water Supply

To conserve additional energy and avoid any electrical problems, unplug the appliances and other electronics you won’t use before it’s time to leave. This should include things like televisions, laptops, gaming consoles 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 them all simultaneously.

It’s also a good idea to shut off the main water valve or just the water supply to specific plumbing fixtures and appliances with the valve on the wall nearby. This preventive measure helps protect your home from leaks that could cause significant damage if you’re not there to get to them in time.

We Can Help You Get Ready for Vacation

No matter if you’re looking forward to your dream vacation or just returned to find the HVAC isn’t working, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can offer solutions. We pride ourselves on delivering speedy, safe solutions to any and all your comfort problems.

Nothing is more important to our ACE-certified technicians and installers than your comfort and complete satisfaction. If you ready for an air conditioning checkup before you leave town, please contact us to arrange for a technician to come out. We’ll go above and beyond to have a positive impact in your home and for your peace of mind.