Should you Turn your AC Off When on Vacation?

As we move into the Summer months many families take advantage of the warm weather and lack of school to go on vacation. It’s very common for people to shut off their air conditioning when they’re gone in order to save some money on their cooling bill. After all, they won’t be home so why run the AC anyway? Unfortunately, shutting off your air conditioner for a vacation can be very problematic for your home, especially in the south.

Here’s why you should keep your AC unit on while you’re away from home this summer.

Bad for the interior of your home

Your air conditioner is responsible for more than just keeping your house comfortable when it’s hot outside. Your AC unit also dehumidifies your home. Particularly down south or in coastal areas, humidity can cause a lot of problems for your house. Things like mold and bacteria thrive in warm humid environments, and those are things you don’t want to be growing in your house. Too much humidity can lead to:

  • Mold growth
  • Musty smells
  • Peeling paint or wallpaper
  • Warped floorboards and cabinetry

Bad for your appliances

If mold growth isn’t enough of a reason to keep your air conditioner on while you’re on vacation, you should also consider the fact that your refrigerator and freezer will have to work harder to keep the food inside cold. The extra stress on these appliances can actually run up your energy bill and offset any savings you might get from shutting off your AC. Additionally, more stress on your appliances increases the likelihood that they will break down or need maintenance.

What you should do instead

All that being said, there are ways to save on your cooling costs without shutting off your AC when you leave for your family vacation. We recommend simply turning the thermostat up when you’re away. Turning up the thermostat allows your air conditioner to get more rest, but lets it kick on occasionally when needed.

Setting your thermostat between 75 and 80 degrees will keep your house at a reasonable temperature and allow your air conditioner to continue to remove humidity while you’re away from home. Better yet, have a smart thermostat installed in your home so you don’t even have to worry about it!

If you have any questions about your HVAC system or are in need of air conditioning service, don’t hesitate to give us a call or contact us online. Our certified HVAC technicians can answer any question you might have and are fully licensed to perform any air conditioner installation, replacement, or repair that you need.