Summer is here, and many homeowners are gearing themselves up to go on vacation. However, before hopping on that plane, there are a few things you have to prepare first. There are itineraries to plan and clothes to pack, among other things. With all the things you have to do, it is crucial to remember that your heating and air conditioning system should also be part of your list.
When you need HVAC services, contact Point Bay Fuel. We can help prepare your system when you go on vacation. Our team of professional HVAC technicians is ready to assist you with all your HVAC issues or maintenance needs. We provide A/C repairs, HVAC tune-ups, and heating and cooling installations. Call us today to schedule an appointment. We service Brick NJ and the surrounding areas.
Vacation & HVAC Maintenance Brick NJ
The goal of this article is to help answer any questions you might have on what to do with your HVAC system when you go on vacation. We will also discuss a few helpful tips on how to make your AC or furnace as cost-efficient as possible while you are away.
Don’t Turn Off Your HVAC System
One of the most common questions asked is whether to leave your AC or heating unit on while on vacation. This question applies to those who are going away for more than a week.
The answer is you should leave your AC or heater on. Your unit is designed to run around the clock. It is not ideal for a system to turn off and on repetitively. Turning it off and letting it sit idle for a lengthy period puts unnecessary strain on your A/C or furnace.
Not only that, your heater or air conditioner is responsible for the indoor air quality of your home. It, not only circulates the air around your home, but it also prevents contaminants and indoor air pollutants from entering your home. Not just that, but it also controls the humidity inside your house. Without this feature, condensation will form in your house, resulting in mold growth.
What Temperature Should I Leave My Heating Or Cooling System On?
Now that we have established the importance of keeping your HVAC system on even while you are away, the next question we will tackle is what temperature setting you should leave your thermostat on.
The answer varies depending on the season. If you are going on vacation during the summer, you should set your thermostat four to five degrees higher than usual. For example, if you usually set it to 75 degrees, then all you need to do before you leave for vacation is set it up to 79-80 degrees.
You can follow the same principle during the winter except you will set your thermostat lower. That means you need to take four to five degrees off your usual temperature setting. However, there is one exception to this rule. If you have a gas furnace, you can set the temperature down six to eight degrees lower.
Install A Surge Protector
A surge protector is an inexpensive device that protects your HVAC from sudden voltage spikes. While you are on vacation and there is an unexpected power outage or power surge in your home, a surge protector prevents your HVAC system from being damaged. Installing a surge protector is an excellent way of avoiding unnecessary AC or furnace repair costs.
If you do not want to worry about the effect of voltage spikes, then it is recommended that you install a surge protector before you go on vacation.
Think About A Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat, otherwise known as a setback or clock thermostat, is a device that adjusts the temperature of your HVAC system depending on your pre-programmed setting. It helps you regulate the temperature in your home especially when you are away on vacation. It is vital that you pre-program it in a setting that automatically reduces heating and cooling when you do not need it as much.
One of the most significant benefits of installing a programmable thermostat is that it is not only cost-efficient but also energy efficient as well. If you are looking for a way to optimize the use of your HVAC unit, consider investing in a programmable thermostat.
Check Your Vents & Windows
Keep all air vents open. Keeping them open while you are on vacation ensures that your system is running at maximum efficiency. It ensures that your system is getting the proper airflow that it requires to perform efficiently. You also need to make sure to close all of your windows.
What Else Should I Do To Prepare My HVAC Unit Before I Go On Vacation?
Before going on vacation, contact a trusted HVAC technician to do routine maintenance on your system. A professional technician should be able to make sure that the system and air filters are clean. They will make sure that there are no refrigerant leaks. An HVAC specialist will make sure that your unit doesn’t have any exposed wires. Overall, they will make sure that the system is in perfect working condition. Even if there is nothing wrong with your system, a routine maintenance check will make sure that your unit is still in tiptop shape when you return.
Conclusion
If you are planning to be away from home to go on vacation, it is essential to prepare your HVAC system. Call Point Bay Fuel to get your HVAC unit checked. Our professional HVAC technicians will ensure that your heating or air conditioning unit is in excellent shape. This way, you can count on it to perform optimally while you are away and you can rely on it to keep you nice and comfortable when you get home.
Some of our top-quality services include AC tune-ups, HVAC installations, and furnace repairs. Our friendly team of technicians has the expertise and knowledge that they will use to help you resolve all your HVAC needs at reasonable costs. Call us today to schedule a free estimate or to schedule a tune-up.
Some of the areas we service include Allenwood, Brick, Lakewood, Toms River and these zip codes: 08720,08723,08701,08753, as well as all surrounding areas in Ocean County, New Jersey.
Contact us now by calling (732) 349-5059 to speak to one of our home comfort specialists!
The post HVAC Tips: Steps To Take Before Going On Vacation appeared first on Point Bay Fuel.
The HVAC filters in your house or office work by trapping solid contaminants such as pollen, dust, and other indoor air pollutants. Basically, they make sure that your HVAC system discharges clean air into the room. Not only that, but it also keeps your air conditioning from pulling in foreign objects such as loose insulation into your system. This aspect of your filtration system prevents damage in your HVAC and reduces the risk of fire. Therefore, a clean HVAC filter is essential in ensuring that your system works as efficiently as possible.
When you are working with an obstructed air filter, the layer of contaminants blocks the air flow. The heated or cooled air has a hard time passing through the system. The system will use the same amount of energy, but the corresponding air temperature will not be the same. Not only that, this affects the comfort of your home as you are not getting the conditioned air that you need.
When you run your HVAC system with a clogged filter, the blower fan works harder to push the air through it. This additional strain makes your system work harder than it’s supposed to and it causes a significant increase in your utility bills. Not only that, but clogged air filters can result in overheating and they allow the entire HVAC system to get covered in dirt. The result is frequent repairs and more money spent. Therefore, a clean 
Faulty heating and cooling systems call for the attention of a professional HVAC technician. Check out the contractors serving your area. See if their rates are reasonable and if their service is reliable.
When it comes to air conditioners, you can expect the build-up of 
Filters trap dirt so that cleaner air can pass through and circulate inside the home. Over time, however, the layers of dirt can get so thick that even air will have difficulty passing through it. If warm air cannot reach the evaporator coils, then ice can start to form on the surface. When this melts, the water will flow into the drain pan and leak out of the AC.
The effect is similar to having a dirty air filter. The evaporator coil temperature will drop to unusually low levels, leading to ice formation. Upon melting, the water will flow into the drain pan in amounts that it may not be equipped to handle. The overflow will cause leaks inside the house as manifested in puddles on the floor.
Air conditioning is a great way to ensure the comfort of your home when temperatures soar. However, what if your central air conditioning unit is currently blowing warm air, or is not adequately cooling your entire house? These symptoms can indicate that your unit is not working correctly.
Your thermostat could be the reason your air conditioner is not able to operate correctly. First, check the thermostat’s batteries. Also, make sure the thermostat is not set on “fan” or “on.” The “fan” setting means the fan is running, and not that the unit is set to cool. Instead, set the thermostat to “auto,” and “cool” which is where it should be during the hot summer. In this way, you will cool your house in the most 
Next, the issues for which you should call one of your local HVAC contractors:
Many homeowners are always looking for ways to reduce their home cooling costs. When it comes to their air conditioners, most know that having more energy-efficient equipment will invariably result in lower energy spending. One of the surest ways to increase the overall efficiency of your AC system is by contacting Point Bay Fuel.
Your home heating and cooling systems are not going to work any less just because you close your HVAC vents. As such, you cannot cut your home cooling costs by closing vents. Instead, doing so is going to increase the amount of pressure within the system’s ductwork. This extra pressure can create problems with the air conditioner that can result in extraordinary AC repair costs. The nature of these problems can vary according to the kind of blower motor within your AC system. Among some of the common issues are:
Both PSC and ECM blower motors function by forcing air against the difference in maximum pressure. More often than not, this difference is 0.5 iwc or inches of water column. But, specific factors can cause a significant increase in the maximum pressure difference. These include narrow supply ducts and dirty air filters. An additional element that might increase this pressure level is the closure of AC vents in rooms that are not in use. In this case, an ECM blower is going to have to work a lot harder to overcome higher than average ductwork pressure. This extra pressure will, in turn, cause more energy use and higher energy costs.
When the temperature starts to warm up, your 
If you keep your thermostat set too warm or too cold, your air conditioner will turn on and off more frequently. This kind of overuse can cause the compressor to fail sooner than it should. For those who tend to keep their vents closed or their doors and windows open while the AC is working, it will cause the compressor to work overtime. If you catch a problem like this early, it shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you don’t pay attention or address the issue, you could end up needing to replace your air conditioning system sooner than you should.
When it comes to installation, the most common issue is installing the wrong size AC. 
When your home requires 
Window ACs have one significant advantage over all the other systems. They are cheap and simple to install. Homeowners can install them on an exterior wall or in a window. The units themselves are not expensive.
Mini-split ductless air conditioning units also referred to as ductless air conditioners, are a fantastic cooling option. They do not require air ducts. Such systems have two primary components, which are the evaporator and the air handler. The condenser is outdoors, and the air handler is inside. Refrigerant tubing and electrical cables connect the components.
Ductless air conditioners are far more energy efficient than central air systems or window AC systems. When you leave the room, you can turn the unit off, thus cooling only the rooms/zones you choose. For this reason, they do not increase your energy bill, as do window units and central air systems. Additionally, ductless air conditioners have high SEER ratings with sophisticated filtration systems. This ensures that the air quality in your home will improve over time. However, it is necessary to hire a skilled HVAC technician to help you decide which unit is best for your home.