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

Summer vacations are an opportunity to relax and take a much-needed rest from the day to day. Before you head out, double-check your home and HVAC system are ready for while you’re gone. A bit of planning goes a long way toward lowering your risk of high-cost repairs and ensuring a safe, comfortable home until you return. Here are eight useful tips to set up your HVAC system before a vacation so your first day back is smooth and stress-free.

1. Stay on Top of Routine HVAC Maintenance

One of the best ways to ensure your HVAC runs efficiently is to request a maintenance visit ahead of your vacation. A certified professional can check for signs of trouble, clean important parts, and address any issues they find. This preventive measure minimizes the chance of unexpected problems and maintains system efficiency.

2. Tidy Up Around the Outdoor Unit

Along with a technician’s inspection, you can further boost HVAC performance by removing any leaves, dirt or grass clippings near the outdoor cabinet near the house. A few days before you leave, take a few minutes to spray it with the hose and clear any remaining debris. This easy DIY chore prevents yard waste from impacting system efficiency and avoid any problems while you’re gone.

3. Check the Ventilation Registers to Make Sure They’re Open and Unobstructed

Obstructed vents lead to uneven temperatures and excess strain on your HVAC system. Before you leave, verify that all vents are fully opened and not covered up by furniture, rugs or curtains. This keeps air circulating evenly and prevents any specific room of your home from feeling excessively hot or cold.

4. Use Your Thermostat Efficiently

Updating the settings on your thermostat is an effective option to reduce energy waste and keep energy costs in check while out and about. Keep your thermostat around 85°F when you’re about to leave to reduce energy waste without allowing the interior to overheat.

For even more benefits, look into adding a smart thermostat before your vacation. This device lets you monitor and control your home’s temperature from anywhere via the mobile app. You can modify any schedules based on the day’s weather and get automatic notifications if any unexpected problems appear.

To guarantee a pleasant return home, access and adjust your smart thermostat to begin cooling things down a few hours before you get home. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, consider asking a friend to set the temperatures while you’re gone. With their help, you can walk into a comfortable home, even after saving on energy bills for the days or weeks during your absence.

5. Don’t Forget About Pets and Houseplants

If you have pets or even indoor plants that remain in your home while you’re on vacation, take them into account when setting the thermostat during your absence. The suggested 85°F can be excessive for them. Consider boarding any pets, or check with friends and neighbors to pet sit and tend to your plants. Provide instructions for setting the thermostat if you need to.

6. Keep the Curtains Closed to Keep Heat Out

Sunlight streaming through open windows adds a lot of heat to your home, forcing your air conditioning to run much longer in the summer. Draw the blinds, window treatments like curtains or even sunshades to block out more of that sunlight during the mid to late afternoon, maintaining a cooler home and lessening the strain on your HVAC.

7. Seal Leaks and Drafts

Inspect all your windows and doors for drafts before leaving on vacation. Closing up these leaks strengthens the house’s insulation and helps ease some of the stress on the heating and cooling. Quick DIY fixes like caulking fixed joints and installing weatherstripping help windows and doors close more tightly. These easy jobs can really help in ensuring consistent temperatures while you’re gone.

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

To save even more 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 television sets, computers, gaming devices and minor kitchen gadgets. Using surge protectors for these devices makes it a breeze to switch off the power to them all simultaneously.

You might also want to shut off the main water valve or just the water supply to specific plumbing fixtures and appliances with the valve on the wall closest to them. This kind of precaution helps secure your house from potential leaks and major water damage if you’re unable to get to them in time.

Ensure a Relaxing Vacation with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing

Regardless of if you’re looking forward to your dream vacation or just arrived home to find the HVAC isn’t working, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can offer Expert support. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, long-lasting 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 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.