Things to Maintain Before Leaving for Winter Vacation

If you’re planning a getaway this winter, it’s smart to take precautions to safeguard your home while you’re gone. By taking care of the following vacation maintenance tasks, you can save energy and keep your home safe from potential damage too.

Close Your Main Water Valve

With the valve closed, your home won’t continue to flood if a plumbing pipe bursts. You should also leave the doors open on your sink cabinets, and close the shut offs and drain any water pipes that you know are particularly prone to freezing.

Give the Water Heater its Own Vacation

You’ll save energy while you’re gone if you put your gas water heater setting on “off” or “pilot.” For an electric model, just flip the breaker in the electrical panel. If you’d like to limit the risk of a mini-flood in your basement or utility room, you can close the unit’s cold water intake valve then drain the tank.

Have the Furnace Inspected

Now’s the time to book a professional furnace maintenance visit if it hasn’t been done yet. If an inspection reveals any needed repairs, get them taken care of before you go on vacation. When the heating system in good shape, you’ll have fewer worries about an unexpected breakdown when you’re out of town.

Adjust the Thermostat

On a manual model, set the temperature at 50 degrees. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can use the built in “vacation mode” and program in your return date so your home is at an ideal temperature for comfort when you get back.

Maintain Good Air Circulation

Check that all of your heating registers are completely open and not blocked by household items, clutter, furniture or drapes. When you do a final check before departing, make sure all of your interior doors are open too.

Replace the Furnace Filter

With a clean filter in place, there’s less chance that restricted airflow will cause overheating and an emergency shut down of the furnace while you’re gone.

To learn more vacation maintenance tips for your Lorain home, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about winter maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.

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