Try These Eight Tips to Prepare the HVAC System for Vacation

Taking a break in summer is the perfect chance to recharge and enjoy a break from the daily routine. Prior to departure, double-check that the house and HVAC are set for your absence. A bit of planning goes a long way toward avoiding high-cost repairs and ensuring a safe, comfortable home while you’re away. Try these eight handy tips to prepare your HVAC system before a vacation so your return home is smooth and stress-free.

1. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance

One of the best ways to help your HVAC system run smoothly is to schedule a maintenance visit leading up to your trip. A certified professional can inspect your system, clean crucial components, and fix any problems they find. This forward-thinking strategy minimizes the chance of surprise equipment failure and ensures best performance.

2. Clear Debris from the Outdoor Unit

Alongside a professional tune-up, you can do your part to improve efficiency by removing weeds, dirt or other yard debris around the outdoor cabinet near the house. Ahead of your trip, take a few minutes to rinse dirt and dust off and clear any remaining debris. This basic task prevents yard waste from impacting system efficiency and prevent any issues while you’re away.

3. Ensure Your Vents are Clear and Open

Blocked vents often result in inconsistent airflow and excess strain on your HVAC system. Before you leave, check that all vents are open and not blocked by furniture, rugs or curtains. This maintains proper air circulation and keeps any part of your home from becoming excessively hot or cold.

4. Use Energy-Efficient Settings for Your Thermostat

Tweaking your thermostat settings is an easy way to reduce energy waste and lower those energy costs while out and about. Set your thermostat around 85 degrees Fahrenheit when on summer vacation to reduce energy waste without allowing the interior to overheat.

If you haven’t already, think about getting a smart thermostat before your vacation. This device enables you to manage schedules and settings from anywhere via a smartphone app. You can keep an eye on the temperature based on weather forecasts and get automatic notifications if any unexpected problems appear.

To make sure you come back to total comfort, set your smart thermostat to begin cooling things down a few hours before you’ve arrived. If you haven’t installed a smart thermostat yet, ask a neighbor to set the temperatures while you’re gone. That way, you can come back to a comfortable home, while still minimizing energy waste for the days or weeks during your absence.

5. Make Arrangements for Pets and Plants

If you have pets or even indoor plants that stay at home while you are gone, keep them in mind when setting the thermostat during your absence. The official DOE recommendation of 85°F can be too hot for them. Arrange boarding for pets if possible, or get a friend or neighbor to take care of them or water your plants. Provide instructions for updating thermostat settings if needed.

6. Use Window Coverings Strategically

Sunlight streaming through uncovered windows raises the temperature inside, making your air conditioner to work harder in the summer. Pull down the blinds, any curtains or even sunshades to block out more of that sunlight during the mid to late afternoon, keeping your home cooler and reducing the stress it leaves on your AC.

7. Seal Leaks and Drafts

Check windows and doors for drafts before leaving on vacation. Making sure these gaps are sealed improves your home’s insulation efficiency and can help reduce the extra burden on your HVAC system. Quick DIY fixes like applying caulk to the joints and using weatherstripping seal windows and doors better. These steps make a big difference in ensuring consistent temperatures while you’re gone.

8. Turn Off Electrical Devices and the Water Supply

To save even more energy and avoid any electrical problems, disconnect all unnecessary utilities, appliances and electronics before it’s time to leave. This includes things like televisions, PCs, video game systems and minor kitchen gadgets. Keeping these devices plugged into surge protectors makes it a breeze 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 fixtures of your plumbing system using the valve on the wall closest to them. This kind of precaution helps safeguard your home from leaks that could cause significant damage if you’re unable to get to them in time.

We Can Help You Get Ready for Vacation

Whether you’re counting down the days before your dream vacation or just returned to find your HVAC system not 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 matters more to our ACE-certified technicians and installers than your complete satisfaction. If you need an appointment for AC maintenance before you leave town, please contact us to arrange for a technician to come out. We’ll do whatever it takes to have a positive impact in your life and home comfort.