July is the most popular month for summer vacations—a time to relax, escape the day-to-day stresses of life and enjoy some R&R. But, as homeowners begin to pack their bags and set their sights on a much-needed getaway, many people often forget to prepare their home and their HVAC system for their time away, too. By taking a few extra steps around the house and making a reservation for AC service in Orlando, FL, and the surrounding areas, you can enjoy both a break from your daily routine and a break from your high energy bills.
Now, we know what you might be thinking: “We won’t be running the AC unit or using our appliances, so we’ll certainly use less energy.” While this might cause your home to generate slightly less energy, there are other simple-to-tackle ways that you can protect your home’s energy efficiency and lower your utility bill even further while you’re out of town.
Putting Your Home in “Vacation Mode”
You’ve packed up your suitcases. The fridge is empty of any perishables. The dog is at the kennel. Your mail is on hold. But, before you embark, spend a few extra minutes on the following tasks to save money and energy while you’re on vacation:
Don’t Lose Your Cool.
Most homeowners assume that they’ll automatically save money if they turn their AC units off completely while they’re away. However, this isn’t always true. Rather than flicking the off-switch, consider setting it at a higher temperature when you leave. In the summertime, a setting of 80 degrees, or roughly 10 to 15 degrees warmer than your preferred in-home temperature, is recommended. This way, you can avoid high heat and humidity in your home, and your unit will not need to work in overdrive to cool your home when you return. Think lower energy bills, and greater comfort.
Unplug—Literally.
Did you know that, even when not in use, appliances that are plugged in are still utilizing energy? This includes your toaster, your TV, your rechargeable toothbrush, and so on. So, before you put up your out-of-office message and jet off, walk around your home and unplug any appliances that won’t be used while you’re gone.
Kill the Lights.
Double-check that all of the lights in your home are off. If they are set to a timer, replace any heat-generating light bulbs with energy-efficient ones. This will help save energy while lowering the amount of heat that’s circulating in your home. In turn, you can enjoy cost- and energy savings both while on vacation and when you return to your routine.
Don’t Forget the Sunblock.
Closing and locking your home’s windows prevents air leaks and energy inefficiencies. Taken a step further, keeping all window shades and blinds drawn helps to prevent the sun’s hot rays from warming your home—and stops your AC unit from working tirelessly to cool your space.
Home Sweet Home
The trip’s over and you return to the comfort of your home. You turn your lights on, you unpack your bags, you reconnect the appliances and you reach for the thermostat to set the AC to the preferred temperature. It’s time to fall back into your routine.
But, while your vacation has ended and you’ve returned to reality, it’s still important to give your home’s comfort system the TLC that it needs. By booking annual AC preventative maintenance, you can help keep your unit running properly, and, perhaps even more importantly, you can feel comfortable on even the hottest of Florida’s summer days.
Experts in AC service, AC maintenance, and AC installations in Orlando, FL, and beyond, the American Air & Heat team provides comprehensive, round-the-clock services to help you keep your cool. From Orange County, FL, to Oviedo, FL, and everywhere in between, American Air & Heat looks out for your system on your behalf, optimizing your unit for peak performance and longevity.
Contact American Air & Heat for AC Services in Orlando, FL
To speak with one of our technicians or to learn more about our air conditioning services, fill out our online form or call us at (407) 512-9337.
