The AAA estimates that approximately one in three Americans are taking a winter vacation or extended trip during the holiday season. The holiday season is a great time to catch up with family and friends, but it’s also a prime time for certain problems. Many people have their holiday season ruined by home break-ins, transportation issues, and weather-related problems. In this article, we will be taking a closer look at how you can prepare your HVAC system for an extended winter vacation.

The Importance of Preventative HVAC Maintenance

Heating and cooling experts recommend that an HVAC system should be serviced before every heating and cooling season. The heating should be checked before winter arrives and vice versa. This will identify small issues before they develop into larger problems and ensure that the system is working at optimal efficiency. Well maintained equipment tends to last longer, and it’s less likely to fail when you need it most. So, if you have not scheduled any essential maintenance for winter, it’s time to do that now. This will ensure that you have a fully functioning heating system ready for use when you return.

Resist the Temptation to Turn the HVAC System Off

In these harsh economic times, it’s tempting to save money by turning off appliances that you’re not using on a regular basis. This is a good approach, but it’s not applicable when you’re dealing with heating and cooling equipment. When you’re not at home, the heat or cold can combine with high or low humidity conditions to cause damage to your home. When you turn the system off, you may be exposing books, pictures, artwork, and other sensitive items to conditions that can damage them. This can be avoided if the HVAC system is left on and the temperature is set no lower than 55ºF. Some homeowners set their HVAC system at 5-10ºF lower than they normally would have it when they are away for the holiday season.

Clean or Replace the Air Filter

The air filter is a vital component, but because it’s relatively inexpensive and hidden away, it’s often underestimated. All the air in the home is circulated through the air filter multiple times every day. The primary purpose of the air filter is to protect the sensitive components in the system from particulates that could damage them. As a secondary function, the air filter removes some airborne contaminants that can lower the indoor air quality (IAQ). The HVAC system relies on a steady supply of air to work at optimal efficiency. Because you’re leaving the system on while you’re away, it’s important to have a clean and clear air filter installed before you leave. Do this as a final chore to ensure that the air filter will work efficiently for the full duration of your trip.

Clear the Indoor Air Handling Unit Area

The indoor air handling unit needs to be clean and clear to improve performance and efficiency. These areas are typically cluttered with items that should be stored elsewhere, and some items may be combustible. To make this space safe, clear a three foot area around the unit, and your home will be safer when you’re away.

Clean the Outdoor Unit

If your home is near a saltwater area, you need to protect the outdoor unit from salt air damage. These conditions can lower the lifespan of the condenser coil fins by as much as 50%. Regular cleaning can help outdoor units even in areas where there is no saltwater too. Cleaning the outdoor unit is simple; set a garden hose to moderate water pressure and rinse the heat pump. When you’re done, let it dry fully and cover it to provide extra protection from the cold weather while you’re away.

Clear the Outdoor Unit Area

The HVAC system relies on good airflow to perform efficiently, and the outdoor unit is vulnerable to obstructions. Many people store garden items, planters, ladders, and other items in this area. The nearby vegetation can encroach on the area and limit the airflow in the area. It’s a good idea to move the items to a better location for storage. Then clean the area and trim back the shrubs, bushes, and trees to at least three feet away.

Select the “Vacation” Mode on the Water Heater

The last thing that you need is a tank of hot water heating while you’re away, and you don’t need it. This can be a tremendous waste of energy, and it’s easy to avoid this problem. Simply set the water heater to “vacation” mode, or if you have a more traditional water heater, lower the temperature. Keeping the water heater running at a lower temperature makes sense because it can reduce pipe freezing issues. If you’re still worried, you may want to open a faucet slightly in a sink that drains because dripping water is less prone to freezing.

Clean Your Home

This may seem strange, but if you clean your home, you can help your HVAC system work smoothly while you’re away. Aside from the advantage of returning to a clean and tidy home, there will be less dust to deal with. It’s important to realize that the air in your home will circulate through the HVAC system multiple times per day. So, the air tends to get stale as it picks up airborne contaminants, such as dirt, dust, pet dander, and more. Even if you have a standard air filter with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating of 7, you will notice some improvements to the indoor air quality (IAQ). If you’ve upgraded to a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, you will notice that the IAQ is significantly better. So, if you clean the home before you leave, there will be less material circulating through the clean air filter. This will make the home cleaner and reduce the energy bills.

If you want to schedule some essential maintenance for your HVAC system, contact your local heating and cooling specialist today.