AC Tips For Vacation
Don’t Make This Costly AC Mistake Before You Leave for Vacation
As a tech with over 15 years in the HVAC industry here in Southern California, I’ve seen it more times than I can count: people heading out for vacation, thinking they’re doing the right thing by turning their AC completely off.
I get it — it sounds logical. Why cool an empty house, right?
But in reality, shutting your AC off entirely can cost you more money, stress your system, and make for an uncomfortable welcome home.
Why Turning Off Your AC Can Backfire
In the summer, it’s not unusual for indoor temps to hit 90°F to 100°F inside a closed-up home here in SoCal — especially with all the windows shut and the sun beating down. Your walls, furniture, and floors absorb that heat all day long.
When you flip your system back on after being gone for days, your AC has to work double-time to cool not just the air — but everything inside your home that’s been baking. This puts a heavy load on the compressor and can easily add 2–4 hours of runtime, depending on how hot it got inside.
That long recovery time means:
More energy usage: Running your system for hours at high capacity spikes your energy bill.
System strain: Your AC wasn’t designed to go from 0 to 100 in extreme heat like that — over time, this wear adds up.
Reduced comfort: After a long trip, the last thing you want is to wait for your home to finally feel livable.
The Smart Way to Set Your Thermostat Before a Trip
Instead of shutting it off completely, set your thermostat to 80–82°F. This allows the AC to kick on occasionally to prevent extreme heat buildup — which keeps your home from turning into an oven, without overcooling.
Let’s put it in numbers:
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, setting your thermostat 7–10°F higher than your normal setting for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% per year on cooling costs.
Keeping your home under 85°F prevents prolonged runtime and reduces the risk of parts overheating or refrigerant pressures spiking when the system finally starts again.
Pre-Vacation AC Checklist (From a Pro)
Here are the steps I recommend to every customer before they leave town:
✅ Change Your Air Filter:
A dirty filter restricts airflow and makes your system work harder. Replace it with a fresh one to keep efficiency up and reduce strain.
✅ Close Blinds and Curtains:
Direct sunlight can heat up your home fast. Blocking it helps your AC maintain temperature with less effort.
✅ Set Fan to “Auto”:
This ensures your fan only runs when cooling is needed — saving electricity.
✅ Schedule a Quick Tune-Up (if it’s been over 6 months):
A quick visit lets us check refrigerant levels, inspect electrical connections, and clean coils. One small adjustment now could prevent a breakdown later.
Real Talk from the Field
I’ve been in enough hot attics and seen enough burnt-out compressors to know: most AC issues don’t show up until your system is under stress. A neglected system might work fine day-to-day, but when it’s been sitting idle in a heatwave and suddenly needs to cool a 95-degree house — that’s when things snap.
So if you’re planning a trip, especially in the peak of summer, take 10 minutes to prep your system. Or better yet — let us take a look and make sure everything’s dialed in.
Need a Hand?
If you’ve got a trip coming up, give us a call or shoot us a message. We’ll make sure your AC is running smooth, so you can come home to comfort — not chaos.
📞 Schedule your tune-up today (562) 586-8400— your future self will thank you.
