You’ve packed your things and taken out the trash. You’re ready to leave on your summer vacation. Or are you? Did you know that your major appliances, including your HVAC system, should be prepared for your departure, as well? Addressing these maintenance tasks will help to keep your energy bills low and your home safe and secure. Before you get into your car, go around the house and:

• Raise the temperature on your thermostat: Set the thermostat at about 85 degrees. If you have a programmable thermostat, make 85 degrees your vacation setting. Set the thermostat to return to a comfortable temperature just before you expect to get back.
• Turn off your dehumidifier: If that’s not possible, make sure your dehumidifier isn’t set on its continuous mode.
• Adjust your water heater: Set it at its lowest temperature if you plan to be gone more than three days, but don’t turn it off. This could shorten your unit’s life and force you to wait a considerable time for the water to heat up again when you return home.
• Unplug your small appliances: Appliances still use energy when they’re plugged in, even if they are turned off. Unplugging will reduce energy use and also protect your home from the fire hazard of power surges.
• Turn off the water: Locate your main water valve. Turn off this value to prevent water leaks while you’re gone. This simple home maintenance task can reduce the risk of disaster in your home while you are away.
• Put some lights on a timer: This eliminates the need to keep a few lights on continuously to deter break-ins.
• Clean out your refrigerator: Empty your refrigerator of all items that may perish while you are gone. Don’t unplug it, though, as this can cause mold and mildew to develop. Put the temperature at its lowest setting.

For more information about preparing your home for your summer vacation, contact us at All Year. We have provided the Sacramento area with expert HVAC service for many years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.