You rely on your HVAC to do everything from heating and cooling to improving the air quality. Good HVAC systems keep your home comfortable for 20 years.
To reap these long-term benefits, you need to take care of your HVAC unit, even when you’re not in the house to enjoy its hard work.
There’s a lot of things to remember when planning your family vacation. Don’t forget to add prepping your HVAC unit to that list. You do not want to come home to a hot house and a broken system.
This guide will walk you through how to prep your HVAC unit before going on vacation.
Clean Up Your HVAC Unit
HVAC units need free-flowing air to heat or cool your home efficiently. To keep the air moving as it should, you need to make sure the system’s filter is clean.
On average, the HVAC unit’s filter needs to be changed every 3 months. Swapping the filter before leaving will keep your energy bill down.
Check around the outside of your HVAC unit, as well. Leaves and fallen twigs can block the air intake. This will make your HVAC unit work too hard and wear out parts.
Bring in an HVAC Technician
Part of keeping your HVAC unit in shape long enough to last 20 years is annual maintenance, but when is the right time to arrange a visit from a technician?
Schedule the maintenance visit for a few weeks before your vacation. This way you know for sure that your HVAC unit won’t break during your trip.
While the technician is there, ask if there is a surge protector on the unit. They prevent HVAC parts from breaking during a power surge. If your HVAC unit doesn’t have a surge protector, have the technician add one.
Keeping Your House Cool While on Vacation
Everyone worries about wasting money on power bills, but it isn’t wasting money to keep your HVAC unit running while you’re on vacation. Turning off the system could cost you more than keeping it on.
When you turn off your HVAC for long periods, humidity creeps into your home. High humidity feeds black mold.
Exposure to mold leads to:
- Asthma attacks
- Skin irritation
- Respiratory infections
- Sore throat
Mold removal can cost up to $30 per square foot.
Save yourself a lot of money and keep your HVAC running while you’re gone. Set the thermostat around 85 degrees or lower. Any higher, and the HVAC unit won’t keep the humidity down.
Prep Your HVAC Unit Before Going on Vacation and Ease Your Worries
Everyone has last-minute concerns about leaving their homes for a long time. If you take the time to prep your HVAC unit before going on vacation, it’s one less worry.
Prepping your HVAC unit for vacation isn’t just about returning to a comfortable home. The extra attention will expand the life expectancy of your HVAC unit.
When you’re ready to schedule a maintenance appointment, contact Murphy’s Home Services.
