When planning to travel away from home for an extended period, you might wonder, “Should I leave the air conditioner on while on vacation?” or “What’s the best temperature for my house when I’m away?” Whether you’re leaving for a long weekend or a longer holiday, you might be uncertain about balancing energy savings with maintaining a comfortable house temperature and environment when you’re not there. The decision can be tricky — that’s why, as your licensed air conditioner repair and maintenance experts in London, Ontario, we have some answers to help you out.
The Case for Turning Your A/C Off
Your first thought might be to turn off your A/C when you’re away. After all, no one will be there to enjoy your nice, cool house! Plus, the pros of turning your air conditioner off while on vacation include energy and cost savings, and avoiding some wear and tear on your HVAC system, potentially extending its lifespan.
However, before you decide to turn off your air conditioner altogether, consider that it’s not always the best choice depending on where you live. London, ON, summers can get pretty humid, so leaving the A/C off for an extended period can lead to excessive humidity buildup in your home. This can result in musty odours, mould growth, and even damage to wood, your home’s structure, electronics, and the fabrics that make up your furniture and clothes.
If this is the case for you, consider strategies to address humidity: a dehumidifier or strategically placed moisture-absorbing products are helpful options. Or you could consider actually leaving the A/C on while you’re away. If you’ve decided on the latter, read on!
Leaving the A/C On At A Certain Temperature While Away
Leaving your central air conditioning on while on vacation to protect against humidity means deciding the thermostat temperature that will turn on your A/C. The best setting should strike a balance between keeping humidity at bay and maintaining energy efficiency. So what temperature should you leave your house at when you’re away? The Comfort Zone team has found that the best temperature for the house when you’re away is one that’s slightly higher than what you’d set it when you’re at home — try a thermostat setting between 23°C to 28°C.
Programmable Thermostats Can Help You Maintain A/C Temperatures
Setting up your house’s A/C vacation mode should be as easy as possible. After all, you’ve already got lots of things on your holiday to-do list already, like what to pack, what you’ll want to see and do on your trip, or who will pet sit and water your plants! A programmable thermostat means one less thing on your vacation prep checklist — in other words, you don’t have to remember to adjust your thermostat each time you leave and return.
A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on the times and settings you select, ensuring your home stays at a more efficient and house-happy temperature while you’re away. With today’s Smart thermostats, you can even control your thermostat and A/C remotely, setting your A/C to its usual at-home temperature before you return so your home is comfortable as soon as you walk in the door.
Tips for Leaving Your A/C On
With a few simple steps around your home, you can optimize the performance and energy efficiency of your A/C while on vacation.
- Close Blinds and Curtains: Block direct sunlight and reduce the heat entering your home. This way, your air conditioner doesn’t have to combat unnecessarily high interior temperatures.
- Seal Windows and Doors: Ensure there are no leaks around windows and doors to keep cool air inside and hot air outside.
- Regular Maintenance: Before leaving, ensure your A/C unit is in good condition. Clean or replace filters and check for any issues that might affect efficiency. For London, ON residents, Comfort Zone is your go-to residential HVAC service in London and surrounding communities. Our prompt and comprehensive servicing means you can confidently check this one off your list before your holidays.
The Right A/C Settings At Home = Worry-Free Vacation Time
- Close Blinds and Curtains: Block direct sunlight and reduce the heat entering your home. This way, your air conditioner doesn’t have to combat unnecessarily high interior temperatures.
- Seal Windows and Doors: Ensure there are no leaks around windows and doors to keep cool air inside and hot air outside.
- Regular Maintenance: Before leaving, ensure your A/C unit is in good condition. Clean or replace filters and check for any issues that might affect efficiency. For London, ON residents, Comfort Zone is your go-to residential HVAC service in London and surrounding communities. Our prompt and comprehensive servicing means you can confidently check this one off your list before your holidays.
The Right A/C Settings At Home = Worry-Free Vacation Time
Whether you decide to answer the question, “Should I leave my air conditioner on while on vacation?” with a yes or no, choosing what’s best for your home will provide the peace of mind you need to truly enjoy your time away.
If you have further concerns or need assistance with your A/C, Comfort Zone is your local HVAC professional in London, Ontario and surrounding areas. Contact us and we’ll be at your house ASAP with our 24-hour availability, free estimates and friendly service.