Pets boarded? Check. Sunscreen packed? Check. Snacks for the road? Check. You’re set for vacation. But wait — do you know what you need to do to make sure your air conditioning installation functions peacefully while you’re gone? Follow these best practices for avoiding AC repair as you set out on your getaway.
Turn it down, not off
Although it sounds reasonable to turn off your HVAC system completely while you’re out of the house (after all, AC uses about 6% of all electricity produced in the United States), parts can deteriorate and suddenly not work at their best when the system is turned back on if it’s left off for long periods. Turning your thermostat up by about five degrees when you leave on vacation gives your HVAC unit a solid workout, saves on energy costs, and prevents humidity building up in your home while you’re away.
Prep it to handle excess dust and dirt
Before you leave on vacation, give your house a good once-over with the vacuum and put a new air filter in your HVAC unit. If you’re going to be gone for a matter of months, you might want to have a neighbor or your regular HVAC servicer change the filter for you every once in a while. Coming back to a dusty, allergen-coated house because of a dirty filter is probably not how you want to be welcomed home after vacation.
Close windows, blinds, and curtains
Shutting out hot air and sunshine ensures that your unit works its most efficiently while you leave it on a lower setting.
Run a quick equipment inspection
Make sure all vents inside your home are open. Check for any signs of leaks so you don’t come home to a flooded living room and an HVAC unit to replace. Clear out the intake unit of any stuck debris, and check around outside for any precarious-looking branches or excess brush that could clog up the works and damage your equipment with a little wind pushing them along.
Your HVAC contractors who handle your usual heating and cooling jobs are, of course, happy to help in the event of emergencies and machinery breakdowns, but any good HVAC service would prefer to see you on routine maintenance checkups. Don’t disappoint your contractor, take good care of their hard work that makes your home comfortable!
