What Maintenance Should You Consider Before Leaving for Winter Vacation?

Corpus Christi isn’t a bad place to be in the winter, but even we locals like to get away now and then. If you’re planning a winter vacation this year, don’t forget to schedule a little vacation maintenance before you go.

Cleaning Up

Fall is a good time to do some cleaning and organizing in the back yard. For starters, disconnect and roll up the hose. Freezes don’t happen often here, but it’s a good idea to leave the hose disconnected just in case. Put one of those insulated covers over the faucet while you’re gone. You can easily remove it if you need to water when you get back.

Remove dead limbs, fallen branches and other debris from the yard. Mulch any fallen leaves. Clear weeds and other obstructions away from the outdoor compressor. While you needn’t cover it up, you could put a piece of plywood over the top to keep leaves and debris out.

Your HVAC System

After you’ve finished your outdoor maintenance, and you’re getting everything in place in your home, don’t forget about the HVAC system. You should do a few things to it to make sure it’s running right, in case the heat comes on while you’re away.

Thermostat. Leave the heat on low, but leave it on. Frozen pipes in winter in Corpus are unlikely, but it’s best to be prepared.

Filter. Change the air filter. A clean air filter will ensure you have good airflow and keep dirt out of your system’s moving parts.

Check the vents. Make sure your HVAC vents are free and clear of all obstructions so air can flow unimpeded. If they’re dirty, give them a cleaning.

Call for service. Your should schedule preventative maintenance for your furnace every year. Furnaces burn extremely hot and then cool down, which over time can stress the metal, resulting in cracks and other problems. Make sure your technician checks the heat exchanger, burners and ignition, as well as the controls and electrical connections.

For more on vacation maintenance, contact CCAC. We’re constantly concerned about customers in the Coastal Bend area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.

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