You’re so close to your vacation that you can taste it. But instead of starting to feel relaxed, you feel stressed. There are plenty of things to do before you leave your home and taking care of your HVAC system is one of them. For example, what temperature do you set your thermostat to when you’re away? And is there anything else you need to do to ensure your HVAC system works great and your home is safe when you get back?
Here’s our guide on maintaining your HVAC system when you’re away.
HVAC for Your Summer Vacation
What should you do with your air conditioner when you’re on summer vacation? You know that your air conditioner uses a great deal of energy and costs you in utilities. Plus, when you’re not home, it’s not like you’ll miss the cool air. So, what should you do?
While turning the air conditioner off altogether would technically save you the most money, it is not always the wisest idea. In our climate, summers don’t just come with hot weather; they also increase humidity levels substantially. As such, air conditioning doesn’t just get rid of heat; it also vents out humidity. If you’re gone for more than a few days in the summer and turn the air conditioner off, you might allow too much moisture to gather in your home, harming wood, furniture and fabric.
Of course, your air conditioner doesn’t need to be set as low as usual. Even a few degrees higher can save money. So, what is the best air conditioner temperature when away on vacation? Consider setting your appliance to 5-10 degrees warmer than normal.
Also, don’t open a window to let air circulate. It’s a common myth you should do that on vacation. All this does is make your air conditioner work harder.
To learn more about maintaining your HVAC system, contact our team at D&B ClimateCare today!
HVAC for Your Winter Vacation
Now we’re talking about your furnace setting for winter vacation. You don’t want to allow your home to experience freezing temperatures because you can burst your pipes, ruin your electronics, and even cause cracks in home materials if you let them freeze.
But assuming your home is empty, it doesn’t have to be as warm as you normally have it when you’re in it. We suggest that you try 17-19 degrees Celsius to keep your home at optimal levels without making your furnace work too hard.
Your Pets & House Sitting
Trying to save money on heating and cooling is not as important as the safety and comfort of your pets and whoever is coming to check on them. Remember that pets’ bodies are less efficient than ours at cooling in the summer, and noontime temperatures can be dangerous for them. So, make sure to set your AC a little cooler for your furry friends.
Need HVAC Support?
The team at D&B ClimateCare can answer any of your HVAC questions. Reach out to us today.
