Now that the holidays are officially here, it is easy to get caught up in the fury of holiday shopping and vacation planning. While you are busy packing up for a vacation to visit or spend time with family, do not forget to prep your home in St. Louis to keep it safe and secure while you are away. As part of this prep, do not forget to check your HVAC system as well to ensure your home is safe and protected while you are away.
If you need further assistance with your home’s heating and air conditioning needs at this time of the year, contact us in the St. Louis area at 314-993-1110.
6 Tips to Prepare Your Home Before Leaving for the Holidays
- Cleanup your kitchen and unplug appliances—Wash dirty dishes, take out the trash, and toss or give away food that can rot. Check all rooms in the house to make sure that unused appliances are unplugged. Electronics consume electricity even if they are not being used, as long as they remain plugged in.
- Vacuum the home—Since dust collects and gathers while you are away from your St. Louis home, make sure to thoroughly vacuum the entire home before leaving in order to maintain its indoor air quality.
- Enlist the help of a friend—Ask a friend or a neighbor to watch over your house while you are away. Small things such as watering your plants, picking up your mail, or even parking in your driveway will ensure that your house is maintained and will derail potential burglars that are on the prowl.
- Prepare for bad weather—To prevent storm-damage to your home or HVAC system, clear the yard of low-hanging tree limbs, unsecured structures, overgrown shrubs, leaves, and other debris that could restrict the air flow to your outside HVAC unit.
- Check your HVAC system—Check your furnace or air conditioner for any signs of leakage and to determine if the unit is in need of repair or maintenance. Also clean your air filters before you go. Doing this identifies problems early on, prevents damage in your HVAC system during your absence, and makes it ready for use upon your return. For added security, you may also schedule an HVAC system inspection before leaving to check if everything is in order and all connections are tight.
- Prep your HVAC system—Immediately before leaving, turn down your heating system by adjusting your thermostat to about 50 to 60 degrees to prevent pipes from bursting and to reduce energy consumption. If you are using a programmable thermostat, activate its vacation settings. Make sure there is a surge protector installed in your HVAC system to protect it from sudden power outages.
Need Help with Your HVAC System?
Ultimately, the best way that you can prepare your HVAC system for any season is with a service maintenance contract. This way, you can be assured of all-out protection for your HVAC system regardless of what season it is and you do not need to worry even when you are away. Galmiche & Sons offers heating and air conditioner maintenance packages that will serve every need.
Make your holiday vacation worry-free with the help of the HVAC system professionals at Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis. Call us now at 314-993-1110 and we will help you with all of your heating and air conditioning needs.
