How to Prep Your Home for Vacation This Summer
May 31, 2022
Sweet summertime is finally here in New Jersey, and you are ready for that vacation – but is your house ready? Before you leave, it's essential to make sure your house is prepared for you to be gone for a week or more. Here are some tips from the experts at A.J. Perri on preparing your home for summer vacation.
Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up
Lack of maintenance is the number one reason why heating and cooling systems fail, and the worst time for them to fail is when you're gone on vacation. Schedule an AC tune-up with our comfort specialists to avoid coming home to a broken-down AC system. Our 21-step precision tune-up will ensure your system is in tip-top shape before you leave.
Turn Up Your Thermostat for Efficiency
You don't want to waste energy or put unnecessary strain on your air conditioner while you're gone, so set your thermostat to keep your home's temperature steady. Set your thermostat higher than usual, around 80 degrees, to minimize the inside and outside temperature difference for better efficiency. While turning off the AC completely may seem like the more cost-effective option, it is not suitable for your home and the things inside, which could be damaged by excessive heat and humidity. If you don't already have one, it might be worth investing in a programmable/smart thermostat so you can control it remotely from your smartphone.
Turn Off the Water
The last thing you want to come home to is a flooded house from a plumbing issue. Even a small leak left unattended could lead to costly water damage and an even higher water bill. Turning off the main water supply to the home ensures that you will come home to a dry house.
Clean the House
Being away from home for a week may not seem like a long time, but you could come home to some smelly surprises without some proper cleaning. Go through your pantry and fridge and throw away any food that could expire while you are gone. Ensure there aren't any open containers and wipe down the kitchen to eliminate crumbs and other food residues that could attract pests. Also, don't forget to take out the trash.
Unplug Electronics
Summertime in New Jersey means thunderstorms are possible at any time. Power surges can cause damage to electronics and even electrical fires that could go unnoticed until it's too late. To save your electronics from power surges and outages, unplug the unnecessary ones like TVs, computers, and small appliances.
Make sure to prepare your home for summer vacation so you can relax and unwind. Don't ruin your vacation with a broken-down air conditioner or water damage. For help with prepping your home for summer, schedule your service call online or give us a call.