Florida is known as a premier vacation destination. We have the white sand beaches, mild winters, and fruity cocktails with little umbrellas — at least that’s the impression of many people who love to spend their free time in the Sunshine State. But, what about Floridians? What do you do to prep your home before going elsewhere on vacation? Specifically, what do you do with your air conditioner?
Best AC Setting Before Going on Vacation
While you may be wondering if you should shut off your AC before going on vacation, consider this — an air conditioner does a lot more than keep your family comfortable. It plays a crucial role in preserving your home’s structural integrity. This is because, in addition to cooling, it removes moisture from the air indoors. This reduces the risk of mold growth, water stains on your ceiling or walls, rotting wood beams, and expanded doors. Therefore, it makes sense to leave it on.
So the question remains, what would be the best thermostat setting? The Department of Energy recommends setting it to 85 degrees if your home’s going to be empty. This setting will safeguard your home’s structure while at the same time translating into a lower electric bill when you return.
Benefits of Installing a Programmable Thermostat
One of the good things about technology is that there usually is something that can make your life easier — and it’s no exception for air conditioners. For some people, it’s relatively easy to remember to change the indoor temperature in their homes. For others, it’s yet another task to add to their ever-growing to-do list — and one that can easily fall through the cracks. If you travel often, installing a programmable thermostat allows you to pre-set it to your preferred settings. In fact, it’s even more practical than setting it yourself when you get home, since the programmable thermostat will start lowering the temperature to a comfortable one several minutes before you return home.
Something else that would make planning for when you’re away easier is installing a smart thermostat. This type of controller allows you to change the settings from your phone or tablet — giving you flexibility if you forget to pre-set the thermostat or if there’s been a change of plans and now you’re extending your vacation.
AC Service in Brevard County
At Colman, we can help you with routine maintenance checks as well as troubleshooting air conditioning issues. We also have a 24/7 AC emergency line. Call us if you need assistance ASAP, or to schedule routine HVAC maintenance.
24-HR Emergency Service: (321) 269-4565
