How to Set Your HVAC System When Traveling
Going on vacation is a great way to take a break in life, relax, enjoy the sights and experiences of seeing somewhere else for a change, and refresh yourself mentally and physically. It’s also a great way to save a bit of money when it comes to your utility bills at home. Giving your heating and cooling system a much needed break will cut back on your or electric bills, but you have to know how to set your thermostat properly. Most people think the correct setting is “off,” but this isn’t usually the case. In fact, shutting your system down entirely can actually lead to some difficult problems when you return home.
Here are some tips for how to properly set your HVAC system while you travel so you can avoid the issues and come back to a comfortable home again.
Summer Travel
Summer is the busiest vacation season of the year, with people venturing all over the world while the weather is enjoyable. However, leaving your air conditioner shut off entirely while you’re gone can lead to some serious issues in your home. Florida is known for heat and humidity during summer months, and your air conditioner is one of your single largest allies in this fight against these problems. If humidity is able to fill your home, mold and mildew can grow, sheet-rock compounds can become compromised, and much more.
Rather than shutting your system down; install a dehumidistat to monitor your home’s humidity level. A dehumidistat tells your AC when to turn on based on humidity not temperature resulting in reduced run time and energy consumption. By setting the dehumidistat below the necessary levels needed for mold to grow, you can ensure your home and family will stay safe and mold free as efficiently as possible. If you are going away this summer, remember the magic number 50% relative humidity on your dehumidstat control settings.
Winter Travel
Many people use the holiday season as a time to get away and enjoy a vacation or even spend time with family members. If you’re leaving your home over the winter, you’ll want to make some adjustments to your thermostat as well, but they’re going to be quite a bit different from your summer adjustments.
Humidity and heat are not as big of a problem during summer, so you don’t have to worry about keeping your house air conditioned. However, you’ll want to make sure your heater is set correctly simply set your dehumidistat to the “away” position.
Dehumidistat’s are a relatively inexpensive way to prolong the life of your system and save money on your electric bills. Just set it and forget it and enjoy your vacation!
Need Air Conditioning Installation? Talk to your air conditioning repair experts at Airrific Air Conditioning & Heating today! Call (941) 371-3355.
