Wherever summer vacation is taking you, what happens when you get home? Will things be pretty much as you left them or will an unpleasant surprise or two be waiting for you. Well, a lot depends on what steps you take to prepare your home for your departure, and that includes you central AC system.
Don’t turn your system off
One way an AC system does its job is by removing excess humidity. So, turning it off not only keeps the cool air away, but allows indoor humidity to do its worst without any checks or balances.
Without a constant effort to keep indoor humidity down, you’re likely to experience such problems as:
- Mold build-up
- Musty smells and odors
- Peeling paint
- Warped wood furniture (floors, cabinets, etc.)
- Damage to sensitive electronics
Keep it on, but set your thermostat higher
While you’re away you want your home just cool enough to prevent damage from high heat and/or high humidity. A setting of 83-86 degrees should do the trick which also will enable you to save a good chunk of money on your electricity bill.
For the ultimate in peace of mind, consider replacing your main thermostat with a programmable model that also includes Wi-Fi accessibility. That way, you can keep an eye on your system’s performance during your vacation and contact a professional should it stop running.
AC preventative maintenance
If it’s been a year or longer since your AC system was last cleaned and inspected, contact Optimum Air today for prompt and dependable service. A well-maintained system will run better, last longer, reduce the incidence of repairs, and help cut your energy costs all cooling season long.
