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

Summer vacations are a time to relax and take a much-needed rest from the everyday hustle. Before you head out, make sure your home and HVAC are prepared for your absence. Some prep work goes a long way toward preventing costly damage and keeping your home safe while you’re away. Use the following eight practical tips to prepare your HVAC system for vacation so your return home is smooth and worry-free.

1. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up

A great way to help your HVAC system run smoothly is to schedule a maintenance visit leading up to your trip. A certified professional will inspect your system, clean important parts, and resolve any issues found during the inspection. This proactive approach reduces the risk of surprise equipment failure and keeps your system running efficiently.

2. Clear Debris from the Outdoor Unit

Alongside a professional tune-up, you can do your part to improve efficiency by clearing out leaves, rocks or grass clippings around the outdoor condensing unit. Ahead of your trip, spend some time to spray it with the hose and clear any remaining debris. This easy DIY chore can help protect operational efficiency and avoid any problems while you’re away.

3. Make Sure Your Vents are Open and Unblocked

Obstructed vents cause uneven cooling and unnecessary strain on your HVAC system. Before you leave, verify that all vents are open and not covered up by large pieces of furniture, the carpet or heavy drapes. This maintains proper air circulation and prevents any specific room of your home from becoming too warm or cold.

4. Set Your Thermostat Wisely

Tweaking your thermostat settings is a simple method to save energy and keep energy costs in check while out and about. Set your thermostat around 85°F when away during the summer to minimize cooling an empty house without overheating your home.

If you want an easier time setting these schedules up, look into adding a smart thermostat before your vacation. A smart thermostat enables you to manage the settings from anywhere via the mobile app. You can modify any schedules based on changes in weather and get automatic notifications if any unexpected problems appear.

To make sure you come back to total comfort, direct your smart thermostat to begin cooling things down a few hours before you get home. If you don’t have a smart thermostat, reach out to a friend and ask them to handle changing the thermostat. With their help, you can return to a cozy house, even after saving on energy bills for the duration of your trip.

5. Set Temperatures with Pets and Plants in Mind

If you have a dog or even indoor plants that stay at home while you’re away, take them into account when setting the thermostat during your absence. The official DOE recommendation of 85 degrees Fahrenheit may be too hot for them. Board your pets if you can, or get a friend or neighbor to look after them or tend to your plants. Offer some directions on paper for updating thermostat settings if they need them.

6. Use Your Curtains and Drapes Wisely

Strong afternoon sun hitting bare windows raises the temperature inside, forcing your HVAC system to work harder in the summer. Draw the blinds, any drapes or even sunshades to block out more of that sunlight during the hottest parts of the day, avoiding the extra heat and easing the burden on your AC.

7. Fix Air Leaks and Drafts

Check windows and doors for air leaks before heading out. Closing up these leaks 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 adding weatherstripping seal windows and doors better. These steps make a big difference in ensuring consistent temperatures while you’re gone.

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

To conserve additional energy and avoid any electrical problems, disconnect all unnecessary utilities, appliances and electronics before you leave. This should include things like televisions, PCs, video game systems and most small household appliances. Plugging as many of them as you can into surge protectors makes it a breeze to switch off the power to everything all at once.

It’s also a good idea 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 protect your home from potential leaks and major water damage if you’re not there to get to them in time.

Let Us Help You Prepare for Vacation

Whether you’re looking forward to your dream vacation or just returned to find something about the HVAC system isn’t working, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can offer Expert support. We are proud to provide fast, long-lasting solutions to any and all your comfort problems.

Nothing matters more to our ACE-certified technicians than your total satisfaction. If you need an HVAC tune-up before you leave town, don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more. We’ll go above and beyond to make a meaningful difference in your home and for your peace of mind.