Try These Eight Tips for Preparing Your HVAC System Before a Vacation

Taking a break in summer is the perfect chance to relax and break away from the everyday hustle. Before you head out, make sure that the house and HVAC are set for your absence. A bit of planning goes a long way toward lowering your risk of high-cost repairs and keeping your home safe while you’re away. Try these eight handy tips to get your HVAC system ready for vacation so your first day back is easy and trouble-free.

1. Request a Professional HVAC Tune-Up

One of the best ways to keep your HVAC in top shape is to request a maintenance visit ahead of your vacation. A professional HVAC technician will check for signs of trouble, service key components, and address any issues they find. This preventive measure lowers the likelihood of unexpected problems and keeps your system running efficiently.

2. Tidy Up Around the Outdoor Unit

Along with a qualified maintenance visit, you can further boost HVAC performance by clearing out leaves, rocks or grass clippings around the outdoor unit of the HVAC system. Ahead of your trip, set aside a few moments to hose down the unit and sweep debris about 3 feet away. This simple step can help protect operational efficiency and avoid any problems while you’re gone.

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

Closed vents cause uneven cooling and unnecessary strain on your HVAC system. To avoid this, ensure that all vents are clear and not covered up by large pieces of furniture, rugs or heavy drapes. This ensures steady airflow and keeps any specific room of your home from becoming too warm or cold.

4. Set Your Thermostat Wisely

Updating the settings on your thermostat is an effective option to conserve power and rein in utility bills while out and about. Keep your thermostat around 85 degrees when traveling in the summer to minimize cooling an empty house without allowing the interior to overheat.

If you want an easier time setting these schedules up, look into adding a smart thermostat before your vacation. This device enables you to manage schedules and settings from anywhere via the mobile app. You can modify any schedules based on the day’s weather and receive alerts if any unexpected problems appear.

To guarantee a pleasant return home, direct your smart thermostat to start the AC for a while before you’ve arrived. If you can’t access your thermostat remotely, consider asking a friend to handle changing the thermostat. With their help, you can walk into a comfortable home, even after minimizing energy waste for the duration of your trip.

5. Plan for Your Pets and Plants

If you have a dog or even indoor plants that stay at home while you’re on vacation, keep them in mind when adjusting the temperature during your absence. The suggested 85 degrees Fahrenheit may be excessive for them. Board your pets if you can, or ask a friend or neighbor to take care of them or tend to your plants. Provide instructions for setting the thermostat if needed.

6. Use Window Coverings Strategically

Sunlight streaming through bare windows can significantly raise the temperature, causing your AC system to run much longer in the summer. Pull down the blinds, window treatments like curtains or even shades to keep sunlight out during the hottest parts of the day, maintaining a cooler home and lessening the strain on your cooling.

7. Seal Leaks and Drafts

Check windows and doors for drafts before leaving on vacation. Closing up these leaks enhances air tightness and helps ease some of the stress on your HVAC system. Easy solutions include caulking fixed joints and adding weatherstripping seal windows and doors better. These easy jobs can really help in keeping indoor temperatures more consistent.

8. Turn Off Electrical Devices and the Water Supply

To further reduce power consumption and avoid any electrical problems, disconnect all unnecessary utilities, appliances and electronics before you leave. This should include things like televisions, laptops, video game systems and most small household appliances. Using surge protectors for these devices makes it much easier to cut the power to everything all at once.

It’s also smart to turn the main water shut-off valve or just the water supply to specific plumbing fixtures and appliances with the valve on the wall nearby. This proactive step helps protect your home from potential leaks and major water damage if you’re unable to get to them in time.

Let Us Help You Prepare for Vacation

Whether you’re looking forward to your dream vacation or just arrived home to find your HVAC system not working, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can offer solutions. We are proud to provide fast, long-lasting solutions to all your comfort problems.

Nothing matters more to our ACE-certified technicians and installers than your total satisfaction. If you decide you need an air conditioning checkup before you leave town, please contact us to learn more. We’re here to make a meaningful difference in your home comfort and day to day.