Here Are Eight Ways for Preparing Your HVAC System Before a Vacation
Summer vacations are an opportunity to recharge and break away from the daily routine. But before you leave, make sure that the house and HVAC are prepared for while you’re gone. A little preparation goes a long way toward lowering your risk of expensive problems and ensuring a safe, comfortable home while you’re away. Use the following eight handy tips to get your HVAC system ready before a vacation so your first day back is smooth and trouble-free.
1. Get Your HVAC System Tuned Up
One of the best ways to keep your HVAC in top shape is to request a maintenance visit before your trip. A qualified technician can examine your HVAC, service key components, and fix any problems they find. This forward-thinking strategy reduces the risk of unexpected problems and keeps your system running efficiently.
2. Clear Weeds and Yard Debris from the Outdoor Unit
In addition to a technician’s inspection, you can do your part to improve efficiency by clearing out leaves, dirt or grass clippings around the outdoor unit of the HVAC system. Before heading to the airport, take a few minutes to spray it with the hose and sweep debris about 3 feet away. This easy DIY chore can help your system run more efficiently and limit the risk of problems while the house is empty.
3. Make Sure Your Vents are Open and Unblocked
Obstructed vents lead to uneven temperatures and excess strain on your HVAC system. To avoid this, ensure that all the ventilation registers are clear and not covered up by large pieces of furniture, rugs or curtains. This preserves normal airflow and stops any part of your home from becoming too warm or cold.
4. Set Your Thermostat Wisely
Tweaking your thermostat settings is an effective option to conserve power and rein in utility bills while out and about. Keep your thermostat around 85 degrees when on summer vacation to reduce energy waste without letting the indoor temperature skyrocket.
If energy efficiency is a top priority, consider installing a smart thermostat before your vacation. This device lets you monitor and control schedules and settings remotely via a smartphone app. You can modify any schedules based on weather forecasts and be alerted right away if any problems happen.
To make sure you come back to total comfort, access and adjust your smart thermostat to start the AC a few hours before you get home. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, consider asking a friend to handle changing the thermostat. This way, you can come back to a comfortable home, and still be cutting down on energy costs for the days or weeks during your absence.
5. Don’t Forget About Pets and Houseplants
If you have a dog or even just a few houseplants that remain in your home while you’re away, take them into account when setting the thermostat during your absence. The recommended 85 degrees F can be excessive for them. Board your pets if you can, or get a friend or neighbor to look after them and water your plants. Provide instructions for setting the thermostat if needed.
6. Use Window Coverings Strategically
Strong afternoon sun hitting bare windows increases the indoor temperature, causing your air conditioning to work much longer and harder in the summer. Pull down the blinds, any curtains or even shades to block out more of that sunlight during the afternoon, keeping your home cooler and lessening the strain on your HVAC.
7. Seal Leaks and Drafts
Examine the windows and doors for air leaks before leaving on vacation. Fixing drafty windows strengthens the house’s insulation and lowers some of the strain on the heating and cooling. Easy solutions like caulking fixed joints and using weatherstripping tighten up the window and door seals. These easy jobs can really help in keeping indoor temperatures more consistent.
8. Turn Off Electrical Devices and the Water Supply
To save even more energy and lower the chances of electrical damage, unplug non-essential appliances and electronics before you leave. This should include things like television sets, laptops, gaming consoles and small kitchen appliances. Keeping these devices plugged into surge protectors makes it easy to cut the power to them all simultaneously.
It’s also smart to turn the main water shut-off valve or just the water supply to specific plumbing fixtures and appliances using the valve on the wall behind them. This kind of precaution helps protect your home from water damage or broken pipes if you’re not there to catch them.
We Can Help You Get Ready for Vacation
Whether you’re eagerly awaiting your dream vacation or just arrived home to find something about the HVAC system isn’t working, McKinley Heating Service Experts can offer solutions. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, long-lasting solutions to all your comfort problems.
Nothing matters more to our certified technicians than your complete satisfaction. If you need an air conditioning checkup before you leave town, please contact us to learn more. We’re here to have a positive impact in your home comfort and day to day.
