Summer is meant for adventure! Whether you’re looking to take an extravagant vacation to another country, or you’re hoping to just take some day trips or weekend excursions around the Pacific Northwest, this time of year is perfect for exploring. one of the most popular times to head out for vacation. There is a lot of planning that goes into planning trips. As you make your vacation to-do list, don’t forget to include what your home will need in your absence. Watering the flowers, bringing in the mail, cleaning out the fridge might be on that agenda, but what about your cooling system? Wondering what you should do with that while you’re gone?
Should you turn the AC unit off?
If you plan to be gone for just a few days, it should be okay to leave your cooling system on. However, be sure to adjust it to a higher temperature. This helps keep humidity away and will keep the air less stagnant. If you’re planning for a longer time away, we recommend turning off the system completely so you’re not wasting energy.
If you plan on leaving pets in the home while you’re gone, this will factor into your plan on air conditioning usage. Keeping your pets in a space that’s cooled at a comfortable and safe temperature is important! Before you head out, check the weather forecast, too. If temperatures are expected to soar, you’ll need to leave the cooling system on with the blinds or curtains closed. Minimizing sunlight that comes from windows or doors will ensure your home stays cooler.
As you are thinking about your summer vacation planning, consider installing a programmable thermostat. You can use this to program your air conditioning system to turn on a day or two before you get home, so the area can adjust to the ideal temperature. That way, you’ll walk into a cool and comfortable home, so you can settle back into your daily routine.
Your cooling system has a big job this summer. You rely on it to keep comfortable when the temperatures outside start inching up. That’s why it’s critical to stay on top of annual maintenance. During this professional tune-up appointment, our licensed and experienced technicians will clean or change air filters, run an energy efficiency check, and make sure all of the internal components are working correctly. If we spot anything that could cause problems in the future, or notice something that needs immediate repair, we’ll talk to you about it and make a plan. Our goal is to help you stay comfortable all year long – no matter what the weather decides to do outside!
Contact our team today to schedule your tune-up, repair appointment, or to get a quote on a new cooling system!