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

Summer vacations are a time to unwind and take a much-needed rest from the day to day. Before you head out, ensure that the house and HVAC are ready for while you’re gone. A little preparation goes a long way toward avoiding costly damage and keeping your home safe until you’re back home. Try these eight useful tips to prepare your HVAC system before a vacation so your first day back is easy and trouble-free.

1. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance

A great way to keep your HVAC in top shape is to set up a maintenance visit leading up to your trip. A certified professional will check for signs of trouble, service key components, and resolve any issues found during the inspection. This preventive measure lowers the likelihood of unexpected problems and keeps your system running efficiently.

2. Tidy Up Around the Outdoor Unit

Alongside a technician’s inspection, you can also help protect system performance by removing weeds, dirt or grass clippings around the outdoor cabinet near the house. A few days before you leave, spend some time to spray it with the hose and sweep debris about 3 feet away. This basic task prevents yard waste from impacting system efficiency 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, verify that all registers are open and not blocked by large pieces of furniture, rugs or , thick, heavy curtains. This maintains proper air circulation and keeps any portion of your home from feeling excessively hot or cold.

4. Follow Recommendations for Thermostat Settings During a Vacation

Changing your thermostat is an effective option to save energy and lower those energy costs while you’re out of town. Keep your thermostat around 85°F when on summer vacation to save on cooling costs without allowing the interior to overheat.

For even more benefits, think about getting a smart thermostat before your vacation. This device lets you monitor and control schedules and settings no matter where you are via the mobile app. You can keep an eye on the temperature based on the day’s weather and be alerted right away if any unexpected problems appear.

To make sure you come back to total comfort, access and adjust your smart thermostat to start the AC for at least a few hours before you’ve arrived. If you can’t access your thermostat remotely, consider asking a friend to adjust the settings for you. This way, you can come back to a comfortable home, while still cutting down on energy costs for the duration of your trip.

5. Don’t Forget About Pets and Houseplants

If you have cats, dogs or even just a few houseplants that stay at home while you’re on vacation, take them into account when setting the thermostat during your absence. The recommended 85 degrees F can be excessive for them. Consider boarding any pets, or check with friends and neighbors to pet sit or water your plants. Write down a few guidelines for adjusting the thermostat if you need to.

6. Use Window Coverings Strategically

Sunlight streaming through uncovered windows adds a lot of heat to your home, forcing your air conditioner to run much longer in the summer. Close the blinds, window treatments like curtains or even shades to keep sunlight out during the afternoon, keeping your home cooler and reducing the stress it leaves on your AC.

7. Fix Air Leaks and Drafts

Examine the windows and doors for cracks or gaps before heading out. Making sure these gaps are sealed strengthens the house’s insulation and helps ease some of the stress on the heating and cooling. Simple fixes like applying caulk to the joints and installing weatherstripping tighten up the window and door seals. These steps make a big difference in keeping indoor temperatures more consistent.

8. Make Sure Electronics Are Unplugged, and the Water Main Shut Off

To conserve additional energy and minimize the risk of electrical issues, disconnect all unnecessary utilities, appliances and electronics before it’s time to leave. This means things like TVs, computers, gaming devices and most small household appliances. Keeping these devices plugged into surge protectors makes it a breeze to cut 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 behind them. This kind of precaution helps secure your house from potential leaks and major water damage if you’re not there to catch them.

Let Us Help You Prepare for Vacation

Whether you’re counting down the days before your dream vacation or just stepped inside to find your HVAC system not working, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can offer solutions. We pride ourselves on delivering speedy, safe solutions to all your comfort problems.

Nothing matters more to our ACE-certified technicians than your total satisfaction. If you ready for an HVAC tune-up 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 home comfort and day to day.