You have some holiday travel in the offing? The prospect of your house being unoccupied for a few days or weeks can be cause for concern. How to ensure it is secure and your utility bills do not run up while you are gone?
We Care A/C, Plumbing, & Electric has been of service to homeowners in Niceville and the Florida Panhandle for as long as they have wanted their homes to perform without a hitch. For some peace of mind ahead of your departure, give us a ring at (850) 820-6710.
The holidays are for getting away with the family and good food, not for an electrical shock or a water heater on the fritz when you get back, let alone a kitchen in flood. With a modicum of forethought you can avoid that. We put together the following room by room checklist for you to go over prior to locking up.
Air Conditioning and Heating Preparations
With no one there your HVAC has no reason to be working overtime, yet in our kind of humidity you would not want to put it in cold storage. You will end up paying more to remedy the mold and moisture than you put aside in energy costs.
Things to attend to before you head out:
- Do not turn the thermostat off, put it on an economy setting
- If your system allows, have it manage the humidity
- Put in a new air filter if the old one is caked with dirt
- Have a smart thermostat reprogrammed for your return
- See that the outdoor unit is devoid of leaves and other debris and that vents and returns are unobstructed
Should your system have been giving you trouble of late, do not take any chances. One of us can make a call to put an end to a minor matter before it is a major one.
Putting Your Plumbing in Order
An extended trip is when you are most vulnerable to costly water damage. It only takes a supply line to burst and your floors and possessions are soaked; by the time you are home from your travels the harm is done.
To guard against it:
- Several days away means shutting the main water off
- Lower the temperature on the water heater or put it in vacation mode
- Look for slow leaks under the sink or at the appliances
- Examine the hoses on the washing machine for any bulges or cracks
- Clear out any drain that is running slow
- Have a neighbour drop in now and then
There is nothing better than turning the main valve. In the event of a line failure, you will not have water to make a mess of things.
Some Electrical Considerations
A bit of common sense with your electrical system will cut down on fire risk and use of power, and make the place look like someone is still about.
- Any electronics, chargers or small appliances not in use should be unplugged
- The refrigerator and freezer can stay on but it is wise to check the seals
- Timers on a couple of lamps will give the impression the home is occupied
- New batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Do not put too much of a load on an outlet with your holiday decor
- Space heaters should be off and unplugged
Decorations and lights are more of a draw on power than one might think. If an outlet is warm to the touch or a breaker is apt to trip, we can have a look at it so you are not left with a problem unattended.
What makes We Care the call of choice
Our licenses in Florida encompass all three: plumbing, electrical and air conditioning. One phone call is all it takes for whatever is required. We are a licensed and insured outfit for the area around Niceville and the rest of the Panhandle from Fort Walton Beach and Crestview to Destin, Miramar Beach, Pensacola and Panama City Beach.
We stand behind our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and are proud supporters of women in the trade. Nor do we make problems wait for business hours; the Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Escambia and Bay County can reach us 24/7.
This holiday season we would like to see you pack the car and go with confidence. Our team is on hand for an electrical safety review, to inspect your plumbing or do a quick check of your systems. Contact We Care A/C, Plumbing, & Electric at (850) 820-6710 and leave your home in good hands for the duration of your trip.