Whether you have been itching to cash in on your vacation during the last days of summer or just need an excuse to get out of the house, who can say they don't want a vacation. Before leaving your home for an extended time, you always want to run through a checklist to keep your home tidy while you're gone. Ensure the stove is off, keep food sealed, do some light cleaning, and then what about your air conditioner? You might think it's a no-brainer to turn off your AC before a vacation, but you might be surprised to know it is not!
I Shouldn't Turn Off My AC?
An AC constantly running seems like a bad idea on paper, considering that it draws electricity while in use and what good is cooling an empty home, right? Well, the answer lies in a few factors: the length of your vacation. For some, a quick weekend trip is all you need, so you might be better off leaving your AC on. For those vacationing for longer than two weeks, you can power off your AC to save energy, but there's a caveat we will get into.
Why Should I Keep My AC Running?
So the most significant issues with turning off your AC for a prolonged time come from humidity and excess heat. High humidity in your home can spell trouble for your furniture and foundation and mean costly repairs to remove potential mold. If it's going to be excessively humid while you're gone, keep your AC running to help dehumidify your home. To save money, you can set your AC to a higher temperature than usual to keep your home from getting too humid.
While humidity is one issue, another is excess heat that can damage appliances around the home if you're not careful. Without proper airflow, your home can quickly trap heat that can cause computers and other electronics to get damaged over prolonged exposure to heat. You don't need your home to be a winter wonderland while you're gone, but setting the temperature of your AC to at least room temperature can help keep your home from getting too hot.
Managing Costs
The colder you have your AC, the more energy spent to cool down your home, so as we said earlier, keep your AC set at a higher temperature while you're away. Since you won't be home, the main concern is not comfort, but ensuring your home has proper airflow, and a temperature of 75 degrees, even 80 degrees, can help keep your home happy.
At Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Electric we want to ensure you're always saving money when you can, especially regarding your AC. With proper maintenance and inspections, we can ensure your AC is energy-efficient so that you don't have to worry about an energy hog while you're away on vacation. So call (334) 231-6980, and we will be happy to take a look at your AC!