How To Prepare Your HVAC System Before Going on Vacation
At Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning in Kirkland, Washington, we want you to be prepared so that you can relax, enjoy your vacation, and know you have taken care of everything important. For this reason, we have created a list of the most important things you can do before you leave for your trip. You will not have to do anything complicated or difficult. Simply review the steps below to take the best possible care of your home and HVAC system.
The Importance of a Check-Up
We recommend having one of our professional technicians perform routine maintenance for your HVAC system. This is the simplest way to be certain your unit will be running perfectly when you return from vacation. If you are experiencing any small issues now, we can make the necessary repairs before you return home to discover you have an expensive problem.
Our technicians are professionally trained to check your refrigerant levels, ensure your air filter has not become clogged, check your electrical components, and clean your coils. We will be happy to offer any advice you need to make certain your house is prepared before you leave.
Peace of Mind From a Good Cleaning
We recommend giving your residence a thorough vacuuming before you leave. This will lower the risk of your filter becoming clogged from debris or dust. Clogs can result in issues with your unit as your air is recirculated through your filter. You should take a good look at your outside unit, too. Check for any potential obstructions near your system such as excess dirt, sticks, and leaves.
Clogs and obstructions can cause damage to your HVAC system. If your unit is stressed due to clogged vents, the result is more wear and tear on you HVAC than necessary. You do not want to have to replace your unit sooner than required. The additional benefit is you will come back to a nice, clean home.
Trim Your Shrubbery
If you have any shrubbery within two feet of your unit, complete any trimming needed before your vacation. Removing any grass clippings, leaves, or fallen sticks will make certain your unit has access to good airflow. This can prevent problems later on.
Close Your Draperies and Windows
Ensure the Comfort of Your Pets
We realize a lot of people leave their pets at home during their vacation. You may have a friend or family member looking in on your furry friends every day to make certain they have everything they need. You can most likely leave your thermostat setting a little higher than normal for your household. However, you need to be certain the temperature you select will not result in a hot environment that may adversely affect your pets. To determine the specific needs of your pets, we recommend talking to your vet.
The Correct Temperature for Your Home
Depending on the time of year you are planning your vacation, we recommend making an adjustment by either lowering or raising your thermostat. If you are not leaving any pets in your house, you can save money on your bills by setting your thermostat to approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. We highly recommend against turning off your HVAC unit completely before you leave.
If the temperature in your property becomes too hot, the result will be a high level of humidity. This can result in damage to your furniture and any wooden floors. If you plan to vacation during the winter months, you can set your thermostat to approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This will prevent your house from becoming so cold that your pipes freeze. Repairing frozen pipes is extremely expensive.
Once you have returned, you can easily turn your thermostat up or down to ensure your house reaches your comfort level fairly quickly. We do not want you to come home to discover unexpected issues that may place a damper on your vacation.
Protect Your Thermostat
Your best option is closing the draperies or curtains for this window. When you keep out the sunlight, the temperature in your home will be lower. This means your HVAC unit will not have to work nearly as hard.
Help Your HVAC System to Perform Properly
You can give your HVAC a vacation while you are gone. This can be accomplished by decreasing the typical load of your unit. You may not know there are a lot of items in your home generating heat even when they are not being used. We recommend unplugging any appliances and electronics that are not being used while you are on vacation.
If you have emptied out your refrigerator and freezer before your trip, consider disconnecting it. Your refrigerator puts out a lot of heat, which means that your HVAC must work harder.
Open All Your Vents
The better your airflow, the more efficiently your HVAC system will work. Check all of your vents to make certain they are not being blocked by any items in your house. This will enable your HVAC unit to operate at peak efficiency levels.
Your Air Filter Is Critical
When your filter is clogged or dirty, your HVAC system must work much harder than it should to perform the same job. This is inefficient, can potentially cause damage to other areas of your HVAC, and results in much higher utility bills. We recommend checking your filter before you leave for your trip. If it appears dirty or clogged, then replace your filter with a new one.
The Beauty of Surge Protectors
Your HVAC unit can sustain a lot of damage due to power surges and power outages impacting the electronics in your home. We understand your HVAC was an investment, so you want it to last for as long as possible. One of the least expensive and most effective ways to protect your unit is by using surge protectors. This is a good way to protect your HVAC system from any unexpected surges.
Protect Your HVAC With High-Quality and Professional Service
At Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning in Kirkland, Washington, we offer all of the services you need for your HVAC system. Call us today for a cooling tune up and heating maintenance as well as help with hot water heaters, electrical systems, and air purifiers.