45% of Americans plan on taking a vacation this summer, with an average time away from home of 4 days. Will you be part of that statistic? If you’re one of the lucky ones heading out for a summer vacation you know that packing and planning for your trip are important, but what is equally as important is making sure your home is prepared for your absence.
A common question that we hear from our customers during the summertime is, “Should I turn my air conditioner off when I go on vacation?”
Answer:
It depends on one important factor: Do you have anything in your home that can be damaged by extreme heat?
Examples:
- Wooden furniture
- Wooden cabinets
- Leather furniture
- Plasma TV
- Musical instruments
- Special collections
- Photos
Think long and hard about items in your home that could be harmed by keeping your air conditioner off during extremely warm temperatures. Saving money on electricity isn’t worth ruining something expensive/important to you in your home, because of this we strongly recommend keeping your air conditioner turned ON while you head out on a summer vacation.
If you’re worried about saving on energy while you’re gone, follow these air conditioning tips:
- Turn up the thermostat (suggested: 85 degrees)
- Close blinds and drapes to block out the sun (easily overlooked)
- Change your air filter before you leave, dirty air filters lessen your air conditioner’s efficiency
- Disconnect electronics and appliances, items that aren’t in use can generate heat, making your air conditioner work harder (don’t forget to move food out of the refrigerator if you unplug it)
- Consider investing in a programmable thermostat, programmable thermostats can automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on your pre-programmed settings
Jerry Kelly Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical and Plumbing in St. Peters, MO is your leading expert in air filtration and home comfort. Contact us today with any questions you might have.
Our skilled and experienced team will be sure to guide you in the right direction. Emergency services are available 24/7!