Depending on who you ask, you should either definitely turn off your AC when you go away on vacation or definitely leave it running. Not helpful? People argue their case strongly for both pieces of advice, so let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons stated for each to help you decide what to do before you go away.
Turning it off
The main reason to turn your AC off while you’re away on vacation is to save energy and, therefore, money. You wouldn’t leave your TV on when you leave because it would waste electricity, so why would you leave your AC on? If you’re away for a couple of weeks, then this could result in a lot of wasted energy cooling an empty house. If energy efficiency and cost savings are your main priority, then turning your AC off is a good idea.
It’s also worth checking the weather forecast for your local area before you make your mind up. If the weather is going to be cool, then you’re less likely to need to leave your AC on. If you have a programmable thermostat, then you could even set your AC to switch on the day before you return so that you come home to a cool house.
Leaving it on
Although there’s no one to feel the benefits of a cool house while you’re away, it can greatly benefit your home. If you leave it switched off during warm weather, your house will become hot and humid. This can be detrimental to your home in a number of ways. It could lead to mold and mildew developing from the increased moisture in the air, it can cause wooden floors to become warped, it can place unnecessary stress on electrical appliances such as your refrigerator, and you might find you come home to some unusual smells.
Leaving your AC on helps to maintain a comfortable environment for your home and all its fixtures and furnishings, not just for those who live in it.
The middle ground
A good way to save money while still giving your house the benefits of air conditioning while you’re away is to leave it switched on but turn up the temperature. Turning your thermostat up a few degrees can mean significant energy savings while you’re away, but still keeping the house cool enough to function properly. Some programmable thermostats may even have a vacation setting to make things easier for you.
You don’t want your AC giving up the ghost while you’re away, so make sure that it is in good condition before you leave with a full service from AC Express. Contact us to book your HVAC check-up or repair. And check out this list of other important things you need to remember before leaving the house for vacation.