Vacation is all about relaxation. But often, as soon as the car pulls out of the driveway, the worry begins. From appliances being turned off to shutting the curtains, it’s easy to begin second-guessing yourself, not to mention the moment of panic when your trusted neighbor’s number pops up on your phone.
By taking a few proactive steps around the house, you can curb your worry and make sure you’re leaving home prepared and with a clear mind. Make a checklist using these suggestions from the expert technicians at MTB Mechanical to keep your home as safe and secure as possible.
Adjust Your Thermostat
If you have a programmable thermostat, use the permanent hold setting while you’re gone. This overrides all pre-programmed settings and saves energy in your absence. Make sure you remember to program for a comfortable temperature an hour or more before you’re due back. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, turn your air up to 78 degrees.
Schedule Your Seasonal HVAC Maintenance
Regular HVAC maintenance increases the reliability of your system, making it less likely to break down and more efficient. MTB’s Priority Comfort Agreement customers receive two technician visits per year, one for heating and one for cooling. In the weeks leading up to your vacation, make sure you’ve had your HVAC system checked for the season to prevent any issues from arising while you’re away.
Turn Down the Hot Water Heater
Turning down the temperature on your hot water heater will keep your home safer and save energy. Don’t turn the hot water completely off. In fact, many water heaters offer a vacation setting designed for this purpose.
Turn Off the Water
Either turn the water off behind individual appliances or at the main shutoff valve. This will keep you from coming back to a possible flood.
Unplug Your Appliances
Make sure you unplug everything from TVs and computers to small kitchen appliances. Always double check the stove and oven, as well as remember to unplug personal appliances, like curling irons.
Sign Up For a Vacation Security Check
Many cities offer its residents the opportunity to sign up for home security checks while they’re out of town. Often, you simply just need to fill out a form, like these in Huntersville and Matthews, sharing details like your vacation dates and if you have an alarm system.
Check In With a Trusted Neighbor
Leave your contact information and travel itinerary with a neighbor who can easily contact you if needed. Ask the neighbor to do periodic walks around your property to check on your home and pick up mail and newspaper deliveries. Nothing screams “WE’RE AWAY!” more than an overflowing mailbox or papers left in the driveway.
Make Your Home Appear Occupied
Burglars look for signs that your home is empty and a good candidate for a break in. Take steps to make your home appear more lived-in, like parking a car in the driveway, putting your lights on timers and continuing to have regular lawn maintenance.
Follow these simple tips and enjoy a worry-free vacation. Need to go ahead and schedule that maintenance check before your next out-of-town stint? Set an appointment online with an MTB technician or give us a call at (704) 459-4066 . Keep your regular maintenance on schedule all year long by becoming a Priority Comfort Agreement customer.
