Do you relish the idea of reducing your monthly bills while on vacation? The best way to save money at your home is to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. If you adjust your air conditioning settings correctly, you will achieve your goal. Every household is different, so be sure to take the following information into account.
Importance of Keeping the AC Unit On
Since you will be gone, shutting off the air conditioner might seem like a prudent idea. However, cooling your temporarily vacant home is crucial because too much heat can negatively impact the interior. Additionally, elevated humidity levels can cause drywall to deteriorate and crack. Don’t forget about the danger of biological growth! Generally, humidity levels around 55% promote the growth of mold. Before you get worried over any of these facts, just realize that you can easily avoid returning home to humidity-related problems. The simplest solution is to cool and dehumidify your house while you are vacationing.
Suitable Temperature
If you are like most homeowners, chances are you think that you should set the thermostat to 85 degrees. Unfortunately, this high temperature isn’t ideal for your home. The air conditioner will run less often as long as the temperature is in the 80s. With less cool air circulating, a dangerous level of humidity will be trapped in every room. Therefore, you should leave the thermostat at 78 degrees so that mold won’t develop anywhere in your house. This temperature is bound to create and maintain a pleasant indoor atmosphere the entire time you are away.
Think About Your Pet
Choosing the right temperature becomes more important when you live with pets. Dogs and cats have difficulty with extreme conditions just like most kids and elderly people. Since every pet is different in some way, setting the thermostat between 75 and 78 degrees may prove to be the best decision. This is especially true in the middle of summer.
Dangers of Setting the Wrong Temperature
Letting your home get too cold or too hot can be devastating. If mold and mildew start to grow, your health and your property will be at risk. Finding every source of mold growth can be a big challenge because mold spores spread and thrive on nearly all surfaces:
- Wood
- Glass
- Insulation
- Carpet
- Food
Damaged Electronics
For the most part, electronic devices work well in somewhat humid conditions. The majority of people tend to feel more comfortable inside a building that maintains a humidity level between 30% and 50%. This range is also ideal for electronics. It is common for problems to occur when indoor humidity levels rise above 60%. An overly humid climate accelerates the corrosion and degradation process.
Insect Infestation
When you return home, you probably don’t want to encounter a swarm of insects in your living room. Because of this, you must make sure the air conditioner is running without a hitch. The AC unit plays a major part in keeping bugs at bay. Beetles, roaches and dust mites are common pesky intruders.
How You Can Benefit From a Whole-Home Dehumidifier
When it comes to improving poor indoor air, you may need more than just your air conditioning system. Cool air alone cannot eliminate odors, bacteria and other airborne pollutants. The right IAQ products will help you achieve the optimal indoor climate before you go on your vacation.
A whole-home dehumidifier can significantly improve the air quality in almost any room. If you don’t have one installed, you will struggle to keep your home at the right temperature. Warm weather will cause more humidity to build up. Fortunately, you can effectively regulate humidity levels with a whole-home dehumidification system.
Reliable Help Is Around the Corner
Look no further than Bratcher Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. to get long-term solutions from customer-oriented experts. For over three decades, we have maximized the comfort levels of many homeowners in the Peoria area. Trust our award-winning company to help you establish pleasant indoor conditions. We are a Lennox Premier Dealer that does outstanding work. Furthermore, our NATE-certified technicians are proficient at addressing the problem of poor indoor air quality. We are accredited and highly rated by the Better Business Bureau. Call us today because we also can fulfill your heating and cooling needs.
