Ready for that worry-free vacation? Managing your A/C while your on vacation is easier than you think!
Anyone who lives in Texas knows how important it is to have a cool home, especially during the summer. However, what do you do when you go on vacation? Should you turn off the air conditioning completely or leave it on while you’re gone? Big Fish HVAC experts discuss how to manage your air conditioning while on vacation and save money in the process! Scroll down to learn more…
Programmable Thermostat
Although it may appear that turning off your air conditioner while on vacation will save you money, it will actually cost you more! Instead of completely turning off your air conditioner when you go on vacation, use a programmable or smart thermostat to raise the temperature. You can easily check on the temperature and make any necessary adjustments if your smart thermostat has an app.
A programmable thermostat also allows you to set your thermostat for energy efficiency, and many of them also have vacation programming modes.
Humidity and Heat
Why would you need to keep your air conditioner on if no one is at home? Here are a few compelling reasons why you shouldn’t turn it off entirely:
- When you return from vacation, your house will be unbearably hot.
- It will take longer and use more energy to restore comfortable temperatures, causing your air conditioner to work overtime to cool your home.
- Being trapped inside when it’s hot and stuffy can make you sick. Who wants to return from a vacation to find themselves in that situation?
- Your air conditioner regulates humidity levels in your home, and if you turn it off, the high heat and humidity will encourage mold growth.
Save Money
To make sure you’re comfortable with your decision, weigh the benefits and drawbacks of turning off your air conditioner. Keeping your air conditioner at its normal temperature while you are away would, of course, be wasteful and costly. Because the house will be well-sealed with closed windows and locked doors, we recommend leaving the air conditioner on but raising the temperature to avoid constant cycling while you are away.
Recommended “Away” Temperature
While you’re away on vacation, keep your air conditioner set to around 85 degrees to keep the air circulating and prevent high humidity. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can easily set it to a lower temperature during the day and a higher temperature at night when the outside temperature drops. If the weather changes, such as a rainy or cloudy day, you can you the app for your smart thermostat to match the fluctuations in the weather.
Energy Saving Tips
Follow these tips to save money on your energy bill while you’re away:
- Before leaving, clean or replace your air filters.
- Arrange for a Big Fish HVAC maintenance visit.
- Disconnect all appliances and electronics.
- To help keep the house cool, close all blinds, curtains, and storm shutters.
Peace of Mind with Big Fish
Are you preparing to take a vacation? Call Big Fish for maintenance before you leave to ensure that there are no issues while you are away. We can also talk about how a programmable or smart thermostat can help you save money on energy.
We’ll assist you in safeguarding your home so you can relax and enjoy your vacation. Call Big Fish at (512) 653-1414 or request an appointment online today!
