When you’re getting ready for an exciting vacation, the last thing you want to worry about is your home’s heating and cooling system. While you might not give as much thought to your home’s HVAC system as we do, there are actually some key steps to take before you go on vacation in order to make sure that your home and your belongings are protected from extreme heat or cold. Here’s how to make sure that your home’s HVAC system continues to function properly while you’re on vacation.
Know the Right Temperature
Too many people make the mistake of simply turning their system off before they leave for their vacation. While it might seem like sound logic that you wouldn’t need to run your HVAC system when you aren’t home, it’s actually a very bad idea to turn the system off entirely.
During the summer, the scorching hot temperatures don’t just make you feel uncomfortable. Indeed, high temperatures can damage electrical equipment and appliances. Furthermore, if you have pets or plants, these high temperatures can jeopardize their wellness and safety. It’s ideal to leave your home at a maximum of 85 degrees to ensure that both the living and non-living things in your home are protected from dangerous heat waves.
In the winter, turning off your heating entirely puts your pipes at risk of freezing, which can lead to bursts and necessitate expensive repairs and extensive damage. It’s ideal to leave your home at a minimum of 60 degrees, with 55 degrees being the lowest you should set your thermostat to in order to prevent your pipes from freezing.
Program Your Thermostat to Vacation Mode
Most newer thermostats come with the option to program your HVAC system to vacation mode, which means your system will only kick in when it needs to instead of running continuously. This setting can be a great way to ensure that your home and belongings are safe while you’re gone while minimizing your energy costs. Check the manual if you aren’t sure how to program your thermostat, or call a knowledgeable HVAC technician if you need help.
Consider a Maintenance Visit Before You Leave
Too often, people only think about calling their HVAC technician when they need their system repaired. If you want to truly protect your HVAC system and ensure it remains in good working order, consider periodically having your system inspected and checked. During these maintenance appointments, your HVAC technician can check for any signs of damage or components that might need to be repaired.
The time right before you depart for your vacation is ideal for one of these maintenance visits. Your system will have been newly inspected and given the green light by a professional technician, so you can leave for your vacation with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your system is working properly while you’re gone.
Do a Final Walkthrough Before You Depart
Before you head off for your vacation, do a final walkthrough of your home where you check that all windows are closed and sealed tightly. During the summer months, consider closing the blinds and curtains. The sun can have a very powerful heating effect on the home. While curtains won’t shut out the sun entirely, they can help minimize its heating effects. This is also a great time to unplug any non-essential appliances, as these devices can, in fact, slightly raise the temperature in your home.
If you want to go the extra mile, sweep up around any external units, clearing the area of leaves and debris. While external units are designed to withstand the outdoors, garden refuse can occasionally cause clogs or problems, and you wouldn’t want one of these problems to occur when you’re not home. It’s always a good idea, in general, to let a neighbor or a friend know if you’re going to be gone for more than a week so that they can check on your home.
At Weather Masters Corp., we believe it’s better to be safe than sorry, which is why we recommend pre-vacation HVAC maintenance appointments to all of our customers in Frederick, MD. During these routine appointments, our talented technicians will identify any potential problems and work to repair them quickly and efficiently. We also offer smart thermostats, which make protecting your home while you’re on vacation a breeze. Call us today to book an appointment.
