How to Prepare and Protect Your HVAC System for Your Fall or Winter Vacation

If you’re planning a vacation, no matter how long or short, you should follow these tips to prepare and protect your HVAC system while away.

Make Sure Your Heating System is Working Efficiently

If you have a furnace but haven’t scheduled your annual furnace tune-up, get it checked before leaving.

Don’t Forget to Replace the Air Filter

Before leaving, be sure to clean or replace the air filter.

Don’t Be Tempted to Turn-off the HVAC System

Heat and cold, combined with high or low humidity, can damage your home and possessions. We recommend lowering the thermostat to 55 degrees while away.

Don’t Forget to Clean the Area Around the Indoor Air Handling Unit and the HVAC System

Keep in mind that there should be a minimum of a 3-foot clearance around your indoor air handling unit. Be sure that anything that could burn is far away from the unit. Don’t forget to clear items from around the HVAC system.

Be Sure to Trim Plants and Clear the Area Around Your Outdoor Heat Pump

Nearby shrubs and plants can greatly limit airflow resulting in clogs and other problems for your outdoor unit. Be sure you clear away any debris and trim back plants, trees, bushes, and shrubs that are too close to the unit.

To aid a technician when servicing or repairing your HVAC unit, be sure to keep a clearance of at least 2’ around the unit. This will also help with the unit getting the proper airflow.

Hose Off the Outdoor Unit in Salty Areas

If you live near the Chesapeake Bay or other salty areas, be sure to hose off the outdoor unit using a garden hose and fresh water. But first turn off the system. Saltwater and salty air can damage the outdoor condenser coil fins and significanty reduce the unit’s life. Instead of using a power wash setting use a gentle setting to keep from damaging the unit’s delicate fins.

If you need assistance cleaning your heat pump, contact Tri-County Aire to schedule a service call.

Controlling Humidity Levels In Your Home

If you don't have control, ask Tri-County Aire about humidification systems that will automatically detect humidity problems and add or remove moisture to keep the levels in the ideal range.

Protect Your Home from Freezing Temperatures

Even though Southern Maryland winters are fairly mild, you should prepare your home for a cold winter blast and freezing temperatures. If water freezes inside pipes, the ice will expand and block the pipe. You can expect pipes to burst with the increased water pressure throughout the pipes in your home.

To help prevent frozen pipes, wrap exposed pipes/faucets and set the faucet to a slow drip.