Got your sights set on an exciting vacation destination this summer? Before you pack your bags, you’ll need a plan for managing your home’s A/C while you’re gone. Keep reading to learn why this is an important concern and how you can regulate your home’s temperature until you get back.

Why Worry About Your A/C?

It’s obvious why you’d want to turn your A/C off while you’re away. If you’re not home, you don’t need it, right? This is partly true, but your home’s A/C doesn’t exist just to keep you comfortable.  Letting temperatures rise too high for too long may:

• Lead to mold and mildew growth. Humidity increases at higher temperatures, causing more moisture to collect on surfaces and creating the perfect conditions for mold to grow.
• Put too much strain on your appliances. Vital tools like your washer, dryer, and refrigerator are all designed to run best at typical room temperatures. If your home gets too hot, they may draw extra power to compensate, potentially overloading their delicate internal circuitry.
• Damage wood furniture and fixtures, carpets, paint, and electronics. You might notice warping, peeling, corrosion, fried circuit boards, or many other issues.
• Threaten pets’ safety. Dogs are especially vulnerable to overheating and may get sick or even die.

While you don’t need to keep your A/C running as much as you normally would, you can’t just leave it off the whole time either. Try using one of the solutions below instead.

4 Ways to Manage Your A/C While You’re Away

1. Use a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are the easiest way to regulate your home’s temperature while you’re away. These devices can be set to turn your A/C on at certain times or when your home reaches a set temperature threshold. Many of them can be turned on manually from anywhere in the world using a connected smartphone app.

2. Set Your A/C Higher Than Usual

If you don’t have a smart thermostat, you can raise the temperature on your A/C to save some money without risking catastrophe. Set your system 5 to 7 degrees higher than you normally would before you leave. This should be low enough to prevent most problems while also significantly reducing your power bill.

3. Use Awnings and Window Coverings

Covering your windows with blinds, curtains, and awnings while you’re away will decrease the amount of sunlight that makes it into your home. Without so much sun exposure, your home will stay cooler even without extra help from your A/C.

4. Have Someone Housesit for You

If you have friends or family nearby, consider asking them to housesit for you while you’re away. On top of other tasks like checking the mail, watering your plants, and feeding your pets, this person can also run your home’s A/C periodically to make sure temperatures never climb too high.

Bon Voyage!

Whether you’ll be enjoying amusement park thrills, touring famous cultural landmarks, or just lounging around on the beach, sorting out your A/C management plans ahead of time will help you get the most out of your vacation. Our staff can help you install a smart thermostat or give your system a tune-up to keep it running smoothly. Contact us today to book your in-home appointment and let us give you the peace of mind you need to unwind this summer.