Do you have any fun plans for the summer? Maybe you have a quick visit planned somewhere for a couple of days, or perhaps you have a more lengthy stay planned elsewhere. Whatever your plans look like, you are probably already planning things like who will pet sit, deciding if house sitting is necessary, or finding someone to water your plants. Blue Ash Furnace & Air Conditioning is here to remind you not to forget about your AC system amid the chaos of planning. We know that the last thing you need after a nice, relaxing vacation is to come home to a hot, stuffy house due to a faulty air conditioner. Fortunately, you can do a few things to make sure your AC unit runs smoothly in your absence.
Ask yourself these questions to make sure your AC unit is appropriately prepped:
Have You Raised the Temperature On the Thermostat?
Just before you leave your house, you should plan to raise the temperature on the thermostat. Doing this will help by saving you money on energy costs. It’s a common HVAC myth to believe that shutting your HVAC system off entirely is the best course of action when on vacation. However, this isn’t the case. Various things can happen if your AC is shut down for an extended period of time. Plants in your house may overheat and die. The air quality in your home will also be negatively affected due to raised humidity levels, leading to peeling paint and mold and mildew problems. Instead, we suggest increasing the temperature to 80 degrees or higher. This way, you will reduce energy consumption and prevent these issues from happening.
Have You Changed Your Air Filter Recently?
It’s easy to forget about your HVAC system’s air filters in the process of getting vacation-ready. But it would be good to check your air filter before you leave. Generally, it is recommended to swap air filters for a fresh one every 30-60 days. But if the end of that timeframe falls on or right before your vacation, and it goes left unchanged, you may come home to a clogged air filter. This, of course, is not ideal as it leads to various issues such as your system short cycling.
Have You Cleaned Your Condenser?
Even though your condenser is located outside, it’s crucial that you check the area around it before you leave. For instance, if it is located in a grassy area, you may need to mow around the unit and remove any weeds or plant growth. In addition, make sure there are no twigs or leaf buildup in close enough proximity that they can blow into the condenser’s fan blades. You definitely do not want anything caught in the blades, preventing your system from working correctly.
Have You Put a Surge Protector In Place?
If you don’t use a surge protector already, now is the time to get one! But remember, you don’t have to be away from your home to have surge protection in place. As a matter of fact, it would be wise to use a surge protector all year round. The future is unpredictable; you never know if a nasty storm will pass through, resulting in a power surge or outage that will compromise your system while you are gone. For this reason, we think it’s better to be safe than sorry and prepare ahead of time. Call us today if you would like more info!
As you plan for your vacation, if there is anything Blue Ash Furnace & Air Conditioning can do to assist you with your HVAC system, don’t hesitate to reach out! We would feel honored to serve you as your local heating and cooling service professional. So call us today at (513) 216-5664, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!