Sunshine and sandy beaches are calling your name, but before you say “Hello” to your vacation, let’s talk about the essentials of prepping your Central Florida home. Ensuring your house is well-maintained while you’re away means more time sipping lemonade and less worrying about what’s happening back home.
Lucky for you, our experts at Frank Gay Services have put together this handy guide to get your home’s HVAC and plumbing systems vacation-ready.
Preparing Your HVAC System for a Stress-Free Getaway
Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean your air conditioner needs to take a break altogether. Getting your system ready can lead to a cool return and lower utility bills while you’re away.
Here are a few steps you should take:
- Schedule a Professional Tune-Up: Our HVAC technicians can perform essential maintenance, ensuring your system operates efficiently. It’s best done when the system is least in use; so, a pre-vacation check is ideal.
- Change Air Filters: Clean or replace the air filters to ensure unobstructed airflow and improve system efficiency. This simple step will lead to better air quality while you are away and when you return.
- Adjust the Thermostat Settings: Set the temperature higher in the summer or lower in the winter, just enough to protect your plants and perishables, but without excessive energy use.
- Clear the Area: Ensure there are no obstructions around your HVAC units, both inside and outside, to encourage efficient airflow and operation.
- Seal Doors and Windows: Check for drafts and seal them to ensure your system isn’t overworking while you’re enjoying some sun elsewhere.
By following this checklist, you’ll return from your vacation to a comfortable home, saving energy along the way. It’s a win-win for both your wallet and peace of mind!
Smart Thermostats: Your Home’s Best Friend
Imagine this: with just a tap on your smartphone, you can adjust your home’s climate no matter where you are. Smart thermostats are a game-changer when it comes to managing your home’s temperature efficiently, especially when you’re away.
By setting your home to a more cost-effective temperature, you can cut down on unnecessary expenses. This means more funds for that extra souvenir or romantic dinner you’ve been eyeing.
Another perk? Peace of mind. Knowing you can remotely adjust and monitor your home environment offers unbeatable reassurance. Forgot to change the temperature before heading out? No worries, just hop onto the app and fix it instantly!
Water Heaters and Vacation Mode
Before hitting the road for your summer getaway, we can’t forget to talk about something that might be hidden in the corner of your garage—your water heater. This appliance can lead to unwanted energy costs if left unchecked while you’re away. But don’t worry, there’s a simple step you can take—set your water heater to “vacation mode”!
Most modern water heaters come equipped with a vacation mode or a similar energy-saving feature. By activating this setting, you’re allowing your water heater to maintain a lower temperature, because why heat water if you aren’t using it? This small adjustment can lead to noticeable savings on your energy bill, as water heating makes up a significant portion of home energy costs.
Don’t have a vacation mode? No worries! You can always manually adjust the temperature down to around 50°F to achieve similar savings. And while you’re at it, double-check for any leaks or issues to ensure your water heater runs smoothly upon your return.
Enjoy Your Vacation
Now that you have the insider tips for a worry-free vacation, remember that a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring peace of mind while you’re soaking up the sun this summer. Our team at Frank Gay Services is here to help! From HVAC tune-ups to giving your water heater a checkup, we’re ready to keep your home in top shape.
Contact Frank Gay Services today and ensure your home stays comfortable and efficient, even while you’re away. Schedule your pre-vacation home maintenance check today!