One of the best ways to relax on a summer vacation is knowing that your home will be safe while you’re away. Part of your vacation planning needs to include getting your HVAC system ready to operate when no one is home. You can take several proactive steps to ensure that your HVAC system will run efficiently and not damage your home if you go away on vacation.
Can You Turn Off the HVAC for an Extended Period?
To save on your electric bills, your initial instinct might be to turn your HVAC off entirely for your vacation. Before you go down that path, you have to think about how hot it might get while you’re away. In Charlotte, NC, the average temperature highs during the summer season range between 86 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. In a home that is closed up for vacation and without cool air circulating, those high temperatures could trigger all kinds of problems.
For instance, without air conditioning running in a hot home, there could be a risk of elevated humidity and stagnant air, which are the perfect conditions for mold to flourish. If you grow plants indoors, your home’s HVAC systems are vital in keeping them healthy and vibrant. Perishable products and certain electronics might also be a target of pest incursions in stagnant air. These are some of the important reasons why you should leave your HVAC systems on during your vacation.
The Department of Energy recommends keeping your thermostat set between 80 and 85 degrees if you are going on vacation for five days or longer. Running your air conditioning at that level will help keep the humidity inside your home at safe levels.
Prepping Your HVAC System for a Vacation
There are several tasks you can add to your vacation prep list that directly relate to prepping your HVAC systems. Consider the following.
Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat
The most energy-efficient way to manage your home’s temperature is with a programmable or smart thermostat. These devices allow you to set up a customized schedule for your air conditioning while you’re away. You can set different temperatures for your air conditioning to turn on throughout the day.
The smart thermostat also provides the current temperature in your home. You can check that on the smartphone anywhere you have a Wi-Fi signal. That means you can make adjustments, especially on hot days in Charlotte. This technology helps maintain a home’s living environment and saves money.
Adding a smart thermostat is not a DIY task. If you are unfamiliar with your wiring, you could cause a severe repair problem. Instead, our experienced comfort consultants working for Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical should handle upgrading to a smart thermostat. They will be in the best position to recommend the correct device for your home’s size. They will also have it properly installed to fully integrate with your current HVAC system.
Establish a Maintenance Tune-up
It’s a good idea to schedule a maintenance check for your HVAC system with those same comfort consultants. That tune-up will ensure that your HVAC system is operating as it should without any added strain. If there is a potential problem, then it can be corrected in the same appointment. That tune-up provides peace of mind that allows you to enjoy your vacation. It can also minimize the risk of coming home to an unexpected system failure.
Change Air Filters
Clean air filters help increase airflow throughout your home, improving energy efficiency and indoor air quality. This will reduce the risk of allergy-triggering pollutants accumulating in your home while you’re away on vacation. To achieve all those benefits, it would be best to change the air filters before you leave.
Have the Ductwork Inspected
Regular ductwork inspections help you maintain a well-functioning HVAC system. That translates into lower electricity bills and extending the lifespan of your HVAC. A duct leak or other obstruction can trigger problems with the airflow from your HVAC. This is another task to turn over to our experienced comfort consultants at Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical. It’s recommended that ductwork be inspected at least once a year. Before you leave on your vacation is the perfect time for that inspection.
Clean Vents and Registers
Another helpful task to take on before you go on vacation is to clean the vents and registers that are part of your home’s HVAC system. Clean vents support efficient airflow. When dust and debris build up on the vents, they can obstruct airflow throughout the home, straining your air conditioning. Clean vents also reduce the likelihood of dust and dander flowing into your home’s air.
Additionally, it would help if you kept all the vents in your home open to prevent an imbalance of pressure. The same can be said for your bedroom doors. Keep them open to promote good air circulation. That is another way to prevent added strain on your HVAC system and keep it running efficiently while you’re on vacation.
Keep the Curtains and Blinds Closed
Before you leave for vacation, you should close all the blinds and curtains in your home. This is a quick task that helps maintain an even interior temperature by blocking out the sun’s rays. That can help improve energy usage. It also shields your furniture and rugs from UV rays and provides added security.
Clean Debris From the Outside Unit
If your HVAC system has a unit that is located outside of your house, you want to make sure it’s clear of debris like leaves, weeds, and overgrown grass. Ideally, you should have at least 2 feet of clear space around the entire unit. You can also use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to clear out the dirt and dust that has built up on the condenser fins. A final spray with a garden hose will make sure the unit is completely clean.
Returning Home
When you get back home, you might be tempted to crank up your air conditioning to chill down the house. That can put a strain on the system that has been operating at minimum levels while you were away. Instead, take a gradual approach to lower the temperature in your home. If you have your smart thermostat in place, you can make the adjustments when your plane lands.
Schedule Your HVAC Maintenance
Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electrical has been helping homeowners in Charlotte, NC, maintain their HVAC systems since 1972. Our founder, Zeke Acosta, had a simple philosophy: “Do more for the customer than is expected of you.” We bring that philosophy to every service call. In addition to the support we can provide to get your HVAC ready for your vacation, we can help with a complete range of electrical services, including repairs, upgrades, and installation.
Before you head off on vacation, call in our comfort consultants at Acosta Heating, Cooling & Electric to get a tune-up for your home’s HVAC system.