Five tips to prep your AC for your summer getaway

1. Get your tune-up before your vacation. Once a year, an HVAC technician should come out to inspect and maintain your HVAC unit to ensure it’s running efficiently by cleaning the filters, checking for any potential issues, and optimizing your system’s performance. A maintained air conditioner consumes less energy and is less likely to break down while you’re away. 
2. Rely on your smart thermostat. If you have a smart thermostat installed, take full advantage of its energy-saving features while you’re on vacation. Smart thermostats allow you to program temperature settings based on your schedule! Homeowners should set their thermostats a couple degrees higher while they’re away. Some advanced models even offer geofencing capabilities, automatically adjusting the temperature based on your smartphone’s location.
3. Use a dehumidifier. Excessive humidity can make your home feel uncomfortable, put extra strain on your air conditioning system, and possibly create mold and mildew growth. Before leaving for vacation, consider using a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air. By maintaining an optimal humidity level, you can help your air conditioner work more efficiently when it’s turned on while you’re away. 
4. Keep your shades and blinds closed. Keeping your shades and blinds closed can significantly minimize the amount of heat entering your home, preventing your air conditioner from working harder to cool the space. By blocking out the sun’s rays, you’ll maintain a cooler indoor temperature, even without actively using the air conditioner.
5. Set your manual thermostat higher. Adjusting your thermostat settings before leaving for vacation can lead to substantial energy savings. Aim to set it around 5 degrees higher than you normally would during the summer months. This will help reduce energy consumption without putting your home at risk for damage. Letting your house get too hot could damage houseplants and make your fridge and freezer work harder to function.

Happy summer from ECI Comfort!

PHOTO CAP: Keep cool in the dog days of summer