Leaving on vacation is an exciting time. It is fun to plan where you will go and what you will see. However, a lot of work goes into planning a vacation. Not only do you need to plan what you will do on your vacation but you need to prepare your home for it. Prepping your home includes your air conditioning system. Here are five top tips to prepare your AC for vacation:
HVAC Outdoor Unit
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Ensure your outdoor HVAC unit is free from debris and other materials that could hinder the free flow of air to the unit. Additionally, inclement weather conditions such as high winds and storms can hurl large debris against your outdoor HVAC unit. For this reason, you should trim any trees or shrubbery. Secure/remove any unsecured structures near your HVAC unit.
Air Filters
You should replace the air filters in your air conditioning system every one to two months. This is true particularly when your HVAC system uses the standard one-half inch air filters. However, if you intend to take a summer vacation, replace them before you leave. Doing so would reduce the possibility of your HVAC unit breaking down due to debris buildup. Also, it improves your indoor air quality and ensures your air conditioning system runs efficiently in your absence.
Surge Protector
Power surges, which are especially common during lightning storms, can damage your HVAC unit. For this reason, plug your HVAC system into a reliable surge protector before you leave on vacation.
Of course, the surge protector should be in good condition and rated for the proper voltage. Be sure to check that before using it. Additionally, any protective fault circuits on the surge protector should remain untripped.
How To Keep Your Home Safe
Thermostat Settings
According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), you can cut your energy costs by as much as 15% by setting your thermostat 5 to 10 degrees above 78°F. This is the ideal thermostat setting in most parts of the US, during the summer months.
This means that you should always keep your HVAC system running, even when your home is unoccupied. This is important because stagnant warm air inside a home in the summer months can potentially damage wood, wallpaper, sheetrock and drywall. Additionally, it could potentially damage the compressor unit in your refrigerator.
If you have pets and intend to leave them behind, you should set your thermostat no more than two to three degrees higher than normal. This is because, just like humans, pets are susceptible to heat-related illness. If you have a programmable thermostat, remember to set it to return to a comfortable temperature before you return. Of course, if you have a smart thermostat, you would be able to control the temperature settings from wherever you are using your smartphone.
Window Coverings
Window treatments such as curtains and blinds can help regulate the temperature of your home. According to the DOE, window coverings reduce solar heat gain in the summer by as much as 65% and 77% on south and west-facing windows. For this reason, close your curtains and blinds before you leave. This will also prevent direct sunlight from reaching your thermostat. When the sunlight reaches your thermostat, it potentially causes your air conditioner to develop short cycling problems.
Home Air Conditioner South Brunswick NJ
If you intend to take a summer vacation, you should prepare your AC accordingly. Specifically, before you leave, you should replace your system’s air filters, plug your HVAC system into a reliable surge protector, set your thermostat settings 5 to 10 degrees higher, ensure your outdoor HVAC unit is free from debris and close your window coverings.
Preparing your AC for vacation is extremely important. Just as important, be sure to schedule a yearly tune-up for your cooling system. It is not too late in the summer to experience the rewards of a professional inspection. Contact Princeton Heating & Air Conditioning. All of our HVAC contractors are NATE certified which means that they have the highest training in the heating and cooling industry. PFO offers many different home comfort services. For a list of our service options, click here.
We service Cranbury NJ 08512, South Brunswick NJ 08540, Dayton NJ 08810, Franklin Park NJ 08823, Helmetta NJ 08828, Kendall Park NJ 08824, Monmouth Junction NJ 08852, North Brunswick NJ 08902, and surrounding areas.
Princeton Heating & Air Conditioning is proud to be an authorized dealer for Carrier HVAC systems. This means that we have partnered with Carrier to provide high quality products and excellent services. You can trust the expertise that Princeton Heating & Air Conditioning offers their customers. To learn more about our Carrier product line, click here.
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