Here in Canada, it is still ice cold, but many are lucky to get away for a little March Break or Winter Vacation to get that much need dose of sunshine! Here are some things to consider to make sure your house and HVAC system safe and sound while you are enjoying the time away from home.
Ensure Heating Systems Work Properly
If you haven’t yet scheduled your annual furnace tune-ups, it’s good to schedule an appointment before you go. If you have- great job! Just double check things like: the furnace pilot light, air filters, and thermostat settings to make sure everything is working properly and good to go!
Refrain from Turning off the HVAC System
Instead of turning the HVAC system off completely, simply lower the thermostat to a more reasonable temperature. If you have art, books, furniture, and other sensitive possessions you want to protect while away on vacation, it’s recommended to keep the HVAC system set to no lower than 55 degrees.
Many homeowners choose to set their thermostat around 5 to 10 degrees lower than normal while they are on vacation.
Clean Up, Clean Up, Everybody Clean Up
There should be a minimum 3-foot clearance around your indoor air handling unit. Clear the way to ensure anything that could potentially burn is far away from the unit. Also make sure to clear away any items around the HVAC system.
Water Heater Needs ‘Vacation Mode’ TOO
Save yourself some money and energy by turning off the water heater while you are away. Need a break from Oakville and want to save on hot water? Remember it’s not just your furnace but your water heater you can set to vacation mode. Just set it to vacation mode or lower it significantly to save yourself some dollar bills.
Turn Things Off and Unplug All Around
Standby energy loss is a real thing. Anything plugged into your outlets still draw power even when not “on” or in use. Standby mode for computers, TVs, and appliances still consume energy. Unplug everything to avoid this. We are talking all appliances, electronics, eat that aren’t essential. Play it safe and save energy by unplugging before any trip or vacation.
Now that we have addressed the basics, go live your best life and enjoy a vacation, knowing your home is prepared for vacation too!
