Are you a Texan who likes to enjoy Texas winters? Or do you prefer to get out of town and hit the slopes? If you want to get out of town regularly during the holidays, you may wonder what to do with your HVAC system if the temperatures drop while you are away. Here are a few tips to prep your HVAC system before winter vacation.
Hopefully, you already have a smart thermostat installed in your home. There are quite a few benefits to installing a smart thermostat. One is you can adjust your home’s temperature to match the ever-changing Texas weather while you are away.
A smart thermostat can also alert you if your home’s interior temperature has fallen above or below your set temperatures and even the humidity levels in your home. A smart thermostat allows you to monitor the health of your system and alert you if something is not working correctly.
When you are at home, the average best temperature in the winter is 68º. When away, the US Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat back 7°-10°F, saving as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling if set back for 8 hours a day from its typical setting.
Depending on your air filter type and environmental factors, you should be changing your filter every 1 to 3 months. Leaving for vacation is an excellent time to check on your filter and even put a new one in before leaving. It’s more important that you check the dirtiness of the current filter rather than rely on dates alone.
Allergens may accumulate more frequently during certain times of the year, and if you have pets in your home, you should check them regularly for pet hair accumulation. Similarly, if you suffer from severe allergies such as pollen or cedar, consider changing your filters closer to weekly to breathe easier during peak allergy season.
We recommend scheduling a maintenance appointment to give yourself peace of mind while on vacation. Your HVAC system should be serviced bi-annually, and if you don’t remember the last time you had it checked, it’s time to have a technician come out and give it a check-up. Preventative maintenance will help prolong the life of your system and ensure you’re breathing the highest air quality you can.
If you prep your HVAC system before winter vacation you get to enjoy your time away. Scheduling routine maintenance will help ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently all year. Our experts are here to help! Schedule an appointment today so you can enjoy whatever winter vacation suits your family best!