When you think about summer, what is the first thing that surfaces in your mind? For many, it’s vacation! It’s the middle of the year and the hottest time of the season at that! It’s no wonder vacation may be on your mind. If you have ever planned a vacation before, you likely understand all the work and preparation that goes into planning an organized vacation. From pet sitting to who will water your plants in your absence, many details need to be addressed before you set off for your summer adventure. LRF Maintenance, Heating & Cooling wants to help remind you about the importance of including your AC in prevacation plans. You don’t want your AC system going out on you while you are away during the hottest months of the year!
Should You Conduct Maintenance On Your AC System?
First of all, did you already have your air conditioning system serviced for its seasonal maintenance check? Most homeowners have this done at the beginning of the spring or summer season. However, if you have not been able to have this service performed yet, that is quite alright! This year has flown by so far, and it’s so easy to get caught up in the daily hustle of life. However, keep in mind that having your seasonal tune-up and safety check done on your AC unit once a year is crucial! Doing this is the best form of preventative maintenance. When we come out to your home, our friendly and knowledgeable technicians perform a thorough tune-up and inspection to ensure everything is running correctly with no underlying problems. So don’t delay any further; call LRF Maintenance, Heating & Cooling to get your maintenance check scheduled before your summer vacation!
Should You Replace the Air Filter?
It is known across the industry that HVAC air filters should be changed every 30-60 days. The timeframe when your air filters should be replaced varies on a few factors, such as lifestyle and the number of people and pets in your household. With that in mind, you may find yourself changing out your air filter more or less frequently than other homeowners. Furthermore, when an air filter is not replaced as often as it should be, it will become clogged and lead to issues with your HVAC system, such as short cycling. So if it so happens that your air filter is due to be replaced around the same time as your vacation week, you can be proactive and change your air filter ahead of time. It would be better to replace it a tad earlier instead of returning home to a malfunctioning air conditioning system.
Should You Clean the Outdoor AC Unit?
The outdoor unit, which is also known as the condenser unit, needs to be cleaned regularly. If dirt, pollen, and other airborne contaminants are allowed to build up on the condenser, your unit will be hindered from running efficiently. The condenser functions by sucking in the air surrounding it and then turns it into cold air to be blown and circulated throughout your home. So if the unit is bogged down with these particles, your home’s IAQ may be significantly affected for the worse. You can fix this by washing the condenser down with your garden hose. In addition, it is also best to keep any items or obstructions several feet away from the unit. So a couple of days before you leave for vacation, make sure the vicinity is mowed, and there are no loose items like fallen branches or twigs, leaves, or other debris that can be picked up by the wind and get caught in the condenser’s fan blades. This, of course, can be detrimental and damaging to your AC system. Not to mention it can result in costly repairs.
Should You Raise the Temperature?
The last point we want to make is about the temperature setting on your thermostat. We do not recommend shutting off your system when you leave for vacation, as this will result in raised humidity levels that can lead to unwanted issues like dead house plants and spoiled items or electronics. Instead, right before you leave, you should increase the temperature from your usual settings to around 80-85 degrees. Raising the temperature will help to significantly reduce the amount of energy consumed while you are away, which will then, of course, lead to more energy savings on your next utility bill. This sounds like a win to us!
Continue your HVAC journey with LRF Maintenance, Heating & Cooling! We are a family-owned company you can trust and count on! We are open 24/7, 365 days a year and we work hard to resolve your HVAC issues in a quick and timely manner. So call today at (614) 837-4822, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here! And from the bottom of our hearts, we genuinely hope you have the best vacation this summer!
