How to Prepare Your Home Before You Leave On Vacation
While counting down the days until you go on your summer vacation, it’s a good idea to prepare your home for your absence. If your home is prepared, you can enjoy a worry-free vacation, knowing that you’re saving money on energy and that it is unlikely anything will go wrong at home while you are out having the time of your life! Our Central Heating and Air Conditioning technicians want to share with you things that you can do to save some money while you’re away and help prepare your home before you leave on vacation.
- Increase the setting on your air conditioning thermostat. Before you dash out the door to your vacation adventures, turn up your AC thermostat to about 82 degrees. There is no reason to pay to keep your home as cool and comfortable as you would when you are actually in it! With the thermostat set at 82, the temperature won’t be allowed to get out of control, but you’ll save money by not using as much energy.
- Test your sump pump. Dump a bucket of water into the pit to make sure the sump pump turns on and remove the water. If it doesn’t work, you’ll want to call a plumber before you leave on vacation because you don’t want to risk coming home to a flooded basement.
- Keep a few security lights set up on timers and turn off all other lights. While you’re away having a great vacation, you don’t want your home to be targeted because burglars can tell you’re away on vacation! Security lights will keep your home from looking like a dark, empty bull’s-eye.
- Pour a small amount (about a half cup) of chlorine into each of your toilets’ bowls. If you’re leaving for an extended period, this will help prevent stains caused over time by building bacteria.
- Shut off your main water valve. This way you won’t have to worry about water leaks and water damage occurring while you’re gone.
- Discard perishables and then take out the trash. Think about how long you’ll be gone and which items will be spoiled by the time you get back. Avoid dealing with nasty smells and mold when you return by tossing foods like milk, veggies, fruits, breads, and cheeses.
- Dump a mixture of half a cup of vinegar and a cup of water down each of your drains. This will help to keep them fresh and odor-free while you’re not there to use them.
- Change the setting on your water heater to “vacation” mode. The water heater won’t run as frequently, so you’ll save money on energy.
- Put a hold on your newspaper delivery. If there’s a pile of newspapers outside your home, it will be obvious to unsavory characters that you’re not around.
- Run your garbage disposal. By running it, you’ll get rid of food materials that could sit there getting smelly while you’re gone.
- Inspect your water lines for leaks. Examine water lines to toilets, sinks, and appliances. It you spot a leak or a crack, replace that line before your leave.
- Unplug small appliances and pricey electronics. There is no need to have computers, televisions, stereos, coffee makers, and toasters plugged in while you’re gone. Save energy and protect your electronics from power surges by unplugging them.
- Mow your lawn. An unkempt lawn can attract burglars who get an inkling that no one is home. If you’ll be gone a long time, consider arranging for someone to perform lawn care while you are away.
- If you have a security system, let the company know you’ll be away. If an alarm goes off, the company will know right away that it wasn’t accidentally tripped by you.
Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to:
- Hold on to a set of your house keys
- Periodically check in on your home
- Water your plants.
- Turn your water on to flush toilets and run faucets if you will be gone for an extended period of time.
- Keep your emergency contact info handy
We at Central Heating and Air Conditioning hope you enjoy every moment of your vacation! A little preparation before you leave will help you to get the relaxation you need while you’re away. As always, Central Heating and Air Conditioning is here to take care of all your HVAC service needs in the Metro Atlanta Area.
