How to Prepare Your Home for a Holiday Vacation
Are you getting ready for this year’s holiday vacation?
Here are a few quick tips on preparing your home that will help save energy and keep your home safe while you are away.
- Don’t turn your furnace off when you go away. Your pipes could freeze and burst. Instead, keep your home slightly heated by setting your thermostat to 55-60 degrees, which saves money, keeps water pipes warm, and prevents the problems of mildew or mold growing on walls and windows. If you don’t use a programmable thermostat, installing one is smart move that can save you energy year-round.
- Set your gas water heater and/or appliances to the “vacation” or “pilot” setting. Don’t shut off the pilot lights – turning on an appliance with the pilot light off can cause a dangerous build-up of gas.
- Make sure your storm drains are clear and unclogged.
- Test and make sure your smoke detectors and CO monitors are working correctly.
- Unplug all unnecessary electrical appliances, especially items such as computers or televisions. This will keep them from being damaged in the case of an electrical storm or power outage.
- Rid your refrigerator of any perishable food that will not last until you return. Wash your sink and flush out any food waste to avoid growth of mold and mildew. Rinse and run your garbage disposal with a half-cut vinegar and water.
- Consider scheduling a maintenance check on your HVAC system before you leave. It can provide you peace of mind and prevent future problems.
If you have any other questions or need help to get your system working when you return, please call your local dealer for expert, reliable heating and cooling service.
For more information, contact your local dealer today.
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