Try These Eight Tips to Prepare the HVAC System Before a Vacation

Taking a break in summer is a time to recharge and take a much-needed rest from the daily grind. Before you head out, make sure that the house and HVAC are ready for your absence. A little preparation goes a long way toward lowering your risk of expensive problems and keeping your home safe until you’re back home. Here are eight useful tips to set up your HVAC system before a vacation so your first day back is smooth and worry-free.

1. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up

One of the best ways to help your HVAC system run smoothly is to request a maintenance visit ahead of your vacation. A professional HVAC technician will inspect your system, clean important parts, and fix any problems they find. This proactive approach lowers the likelihood of sudden breakdowns and maintains system efficiency.

2. Clear Debris from the Outdoor Unit

In addition to a technician’s inspection, you can do your part to improve efficiency by clearing out leaves, rocks or grass clippings around the outdoor unit of the HVAC system. Before heading to the airport, take a few minutes to hose down the unit and clear any remaining debris. This simple step can help your system run more efficiently and avoid any problems while the house is empty.

3. Check that Your Vents are Unobstructed

Closed vents cause uneven cooling and extra stress on your HVAC system. Before you leave, ensure that all registers are fully opened and not blocked by large pieces of furniture, the carpet or , thick, heavy curtains. This ensures steady airflow and stops any part of your home from being excessively hot or cold.

4. Use Your Thermostat Efficiently

Changing your thermostat is a simple method to conserve power and lower those energy costs while away on vacation. Keep your thermostat around 85 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re about to leave to save on cooling costs without letting the indoor temperature skyrocket.

If energy efficiency is a top priority, look into adding a smart thermostat before your vacation. This device lets you monitor and control your home’s temperature as long as you have an internet connection via a smartphone app. You can modify any schedules based on changes in weather and get automatic notifications if any trouble shows up.

To ensure a comfortable return, direct your smart thermostat to start cooling your home a few hours before you get home. If you can’t access your thermostat remotely, consider asking a friend to set the temperatures while you’re gone. With their help, you can return to a cozy house, even after minimizing energy waste for the duration of your trip.

5. Plan for Your Pets and Plants

If you have cats, dogs or even just one or two houseplants that remain in your home while you’re away, keep them in mind when setting the thermostat during your absence. The recommended 85 degrees F might be too hot for them. Board your pets if you can, or check with friends and neighbors to pet sit or water your plants. Provide instructions for changing the temperature if you need to.

6. Keep the Curtains Closed to Keep Heat Out

Strong afternoon sun hitting open windows raises the temperature inside, causing your air conditioning to work harder in the summer. Draw the blinds, any drapes or even shades to block out more of that sunlight during the mid to late afternoon, maintaining a cooler home and reducing the stress it leaves on your cooling.

7. Fix Air Leaks and Drafts

Inspect all your windows and doors for cracks or gaps before you leave. Closing up these leaks enhances air tightness and helps ease some of the stress on the heating and cooling. Easy solutions such as caulking stationary joints and adding weatherstripping help windows and doors close more tightly. These easy jobs make a big difference in ensuring consistent temperatures while you’re gone.

8. Shut Down Electrical Devices and Water Supply

To further reduce power consumption and minimize the risk of electrical issues, unplug the appliances and other electronics you won’t use before you leave. This includes things like televisions, laptops, gaming consoles and minor kitchen gadgets. Using surge protectors for these devices makes it much easier to switch off the power to everything all at once.

You might also want to turn the main water shut-off valve or just the water supply to specific parts of the plumbing with the valve on the wall nearby. 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

No matter if you’re eagerly awaiting your dream vacation or just returned to find something about the HVAC system isn’t working, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. We pride ourselves on delivering quick yet lasting repairs to every one of your comfort problems.

Nothing is more important to our ACE-certified HVAC Experts than your comfort and complete satisfaction. If you need an appointment for AC maintenance before you leave town, please contact us to learn more. We’re here to have a positive impact in your home and for your peace of mind.