Buying a Vacation Home: Maintaining the Right Temperature

Since the process of buying a vacation home can be quite a big task, many home buyers tend to neglect or not give much thought to their HVAC systems. That’s understandable, seeing as vacation homes tend to be left vacant for long periods of time. However, maintaining the right temperature in your vacation home when you’re not there can save you money. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

Tips to Keep Your Vacation Home at the Right Temperature

1. Invest in a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are controlled by your smart phone, tablet or iPad, and can be programmed wherever you are. Save yourself some money and only set your ideal temperature when you need it. Paying your vacation home a visit? Set your thermostat to your ideal temperature just before you get there, rather than leaving it on the whole time you’re not around. It is recommended that you set your thermostat to as close a temperature to outdoor temperatures while you’re away in order to lower your overall cooling bill.

2. HVAC Maintenance

It is important to maintain and service your HVAC system so that it runs efficiently and lives a long life. You can schedule service with a professional, as well as conduct some maintenance yourself.

• Keep Filters Clean. Dirty filters restrict normal airflow and can significantly reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system. As a result of the restricted airflow, dirt can bypass the filter, go directly into the evaporator coil and reduce the coil’s capacity to absorb heat. According to gov, replacing a clogged filter with a clean one can reduce the energy consumption of your air conditioner by up to 15%.
• Clean the Evaporator Coils. Even if your filter remains clean, there will always be some dirt that ends up on the evaporator coils, affecting its heat-absorbing capacity. Make sure the coils are kept clean as well.
• Hire a Professional. If maintaining your HVAC system is too much of a task for you, hire a professional to conduct some preventative maintenance. This will ensure any issues with your HVAC system are fixed before a breakdown occurs, and will allow you to enjoy your vacation home even more.

3. Keep Curtains and Blinds Closed

While you’re away from your vacation home, make sure to keep the curtains and blinds closed. Sunlight seeping in will raise the temperature of the home, making it even more difficult to keep your home at a consistent temperature.

Buying a Vacation Home: Perfect Temperatures

Part of the whole idea of buying a vacation home is to escape to a climate that is different than that of your primary residence. Your HVAC system plays a huge role in this, and will likely have different requirements compared to the one you have back home. Maintaining your HVAC system will help ensure that your vacation home is at your ideal temperature – offering a cool space in the summer, and a warm retreat in the winter.