Are you getting ready for a summer vacation? Whether it’s a long weekend trip or extended vacation there are a lot of things you need to do before you go. You need to pack, book your hotel and travel arrangements, find someone to watch your pets, make sure the trash is out, and get ready to relax. But, your air conditioner should be able to relax while you’re on vacation too. Some homeowners think turning their AC off is the best idea, but is it really? Wichita Heating and Air is here to give you some insight on what to do with your AC during your vacation.
It might seem like turning off your AC will save you money when you’re out exploring on vacation, however as temperatures soar during the summer months turning your unit off can cause your home to become hot and humid. When your home is humid it can affect wood furniture, cause food in your cupboards to degenerate quickly, and can cause your refrigerator to work harder. You also don’t want to blast your AC at the normal temperature you have it set at when you’re home.
There are some things to consider when you are thinking about what to do with your AC during your vacation. You need to think about how long you will be gone. If you’re only going to be gone for two or three days you can raise the temp by 5 to 7 degrees. This will keep your home cool but not waste energy. If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time, you’ll want to set your thermostat to 80. If you have a programmable thermostat it would be smart to program your thermostat so it will run certain temperatures at different times of the day. This will ensure your house doesn’t get too hot and muggy during your trip. It’s also a good idea to close all of your curtains and blinds before you go to help keep your house cool.
There are some preventative measures you can take with your AC before you leave. It’s a good idea to change your air filter before you leave. Dirt can wreak havoc on your AC unit, so you don’t want to leave without having a clean air filter. It’s also a good idea to clean and have your system inspected before you go. Wichita Heating and Air has a maintenance program you can sign up for to help you make sure your entire HVAC system is working properly.
When there is a lot of humidity in the air it’s also a good idea to supplement your air conditioner with a portable dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers pull moist air in and circulate drier air back into the home which means your home will still be comfortable and cool, but your AC won’t have to work as hard to keep your house cool with the summer temperatures.
If you really want to take the guesswork out of knowing if your AC is running efficiently while you’re gone, upgrading to a smart thermostat is the best solution. Smart thermostats have a vacation mode that sets the temperature for you and makes sure your AC still runs at regular intervals. While it might be summer, temperatures can vary throughout the season, so your smart thermostat will account for that as well. You can also control most smart thermostats with an app on your phone.
If you have questions about upgrading to a smart thermostat, or you want to check your AC system before you go on vacation, Wichita Heating and Air is here for you. Our technicians will answer your questions, provide exceptional service, and make sure your AC is ready to keep your home comfortable while you’re on vacation.