Planning a vacation can be as tiring as the job you’re vacationing from. Transportation, lodging and events to take in at your destination are just part of the planning. There’s also laundry, shopping and packing that need to be done before you leave. One of the most important tasks is making sure your programmable thermostat is set correctly before you leave. Here’s a checklist of tasks that should be included in your vacation plans:
- Mail is placed on hold or will be picked up by a friend or family member.
- Pets are boarded or their care is delegated to sitters.
- Yard is manicured or scheduled to be cared for while you’re away. This includes watering, if necessary and if water restrictions permit.
- Remove items from your refrigerator that will spoil or expire while you’re gone.
- Take out the trash or it will welcome you home with a house full of odor.
- Set your programmable thermostat between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months to save energy while keeping your electronics and other sensitive belongings cool. You can also program the thermostat to cool the house down on the day you’re scheduled to return so that it feels like home when you walk in the door.
Depending on your technological abilities and the gadgetry you own, you could also adjust your thermostat from your vacation locale. Some programmable thermostat models allow you to control the thermostat via the Internet using your smart phone, tablet or PC. If vacation plans change and you decide to stay away longer, it’s not a problem. You can adjust it from the cabin, resort, spa or condo.
Certain apps also allow you to control music, television, window treatments and lights online as well. Turning such items on and off at different times during the day gives the appearance that somebody is at home, deterring would-be thieves.
For more information about programmable thermostats and the ability to control HVAC function while on vacation, please contact our professionals at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. Our family has been serving the Dayton and Springfield communities since 1978.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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