When you plan for a vacation, you have an itinerary and a packing list. But do you have a checklist for how to prepare your home to keep it safe while you’re away? Here are some tips to keep your McKinney area home and HVAC system free from harm.
- Lock up: Although this may seem like an obvious thing to do, make sure you follow through. Check all your windows and doors to ensure they’re completely closed and latched.
- Curtains and shades: As you’re checking the windows, lower the shades or close your curtains on most of them. This will keep the air cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
- Talk to your neighbors: Keep your neighbors in the loop so they can take action if they see anything suspicious. If you want, ask them to create the sense of a routine with garbage or moving cars.
- Light timers: A living room lamp can help to deter potential criminals. But make sure you use a timer so your lights are only on during normal hours to be more energy efficient.
- Valuables: Move anything that might look tempting to would-be thieves out of sight from any open shades.
- HVAC system: You can set your thermostat much milder while on vacation. In winter, make sure you have it set at no lower than 50 degrees to keep pipes from freezing.
- Hold your mail: Have the post office hold your mail for up to 30 days to keep it from piling up in your mailbox.
- Water heater: Use the vacation setting in the winter, and shut your water heater off at the breaker in the summer. Make sure to run the hot water tap before turning it back on to make sure the tank isn’t empty.
For more information on how to prepare your home and HVAC system for a vacation, or other questions related to home comfort, contact the professionals at Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating.