What is your ideal summer vacation? Are you a beach bum, or do you enjoy the solace of a log cabin? Whatever your summer vacation plans are, it is no doubt that you have to plan and strategize in order to prepare for your upcoming vacation. As you get things in order, be sure to include your AC system in your preparations. Even in your absence, your cooling unit must be set up for success to ensure it is working efficiently and at its utmost capacity even when you are away from your home. Keep reading the following from your Delaware Heating & Air service professionals as we discuss how to prepare your AC system for your summer getaway.
Will Cleaning Your AC Unit Before Leaving For Vacation Be Beneficial?
Help raise your AC system’s efficiency by cleaning it before setting off for vacation. Your outdoor cooling unit, also known as the condenser, is located outside. Since it’s common for the condenser to get bogged down with dirt and pollen, you can clean it by washing it off with a garden house. Additionally, the area around the condenser should be clean year-round. Finally, there should be no obstructions surrounding your unit. So outdoor items like outside toys, patio chairs, sun umbrellas, etc., should be a good few feet away from the condenser. Also, plant vegetation such as leaves, branches, and weeds need to be cleared out of the vicinity. You definitely don’t want any items or vegetation blowing into the condenser’s fan blades or falling onto the condenser.
Will Using a Surge Protector For Your HVAC System Help?
Have you ever thought about using a whole-house surge protector to protect your home and HVAC system? If not, now is the time to consider doing so. When you use a surge protector, it helps minimize the risk of harm to your HVAC system from potential power outages or surges. For example, it’s possible that while you are away, the weather may get a little out of hand and even result in a large thunderstorm passing through. If you have a whole-house surge protector in place, you can enjoy your vacation knowing that your home and HVAC are well protected. Keep in mind that surge protectors are suitable to use all the time, not just when you are away from your home!
Will Raising the Temperature Be Beneficial to Your Energy Bill?
If you plan to shut your AC system off completely before you leave and lock up your house, we encourage you to consider otherwise. Leaving your system off while you’re away might sound like a good idea to reduce energy consumption and result in energy savings on your utility bill. But doing this may actually reap more harm than good. Various HVAC disasters can happen when a system is left off for an extended period of time. So instead, we suggest you leave your system on and raise the temperature higher than usual. An excellent range to set your thermostat on is between 80-85 degrees. This range will allow you to save money on your energy bill without risking raised humidity levels, and leading to problems like dead plants, warped wood, and peeling paint.
Will Seasonal Maintenance Make a Difference Before Leaving For Vacation?
By now, your AC system should have already been serviced for the season. Generally, it is recommended that your cooling system receive a seasonal tune-up and safety check once a year before its first use of the season. However, if you haven’t already done so, it is not too late! We highly recommend having your seasonal maintenance check performed before you leave for your trip. Doing so will guarantee that everything is running as it should be and your unit is running correctly according to current safety regulations. In addition, all our technicians are NATE-certified and will perform a thorough tune-up and inspection to make sure your AC is ready for the hottest months Ohio has coming.
We want you to enjoy your vacation and get that much-needed break you have been looking forward to. So let us help ease that burden and get your home and AC system summer-ready as we go into the warmer months. If you still need to schedule your seasonal tune-up and safety check, or perhaps you have an issue with your AC system that needs to be addressed, we are ready to tackle your HVAC problems and resolve them quickly. Call Delaware Heating & Air today at (740) 227-8302, or schedule a heating or cooling repair appointment online by clicking here!
