Should You Turn Off Your AC While on Vacation?

Efficient AC management tips when you're away from home

Are you wondering whether to turn off your air conditioner while you're away on vacation? It's a common concern among homeowners in Dubai, seeking to balance comfort and energy savings. Here, we provide expert tips on how to maintain your AC unit, ensuring you can relax and enjoy your time away.

Keep your AC ON during vacation with adjusted settings

While it might seem cost-effective to switch off your AC during vacation, experts unanimously agree that it’s actually better to keep your AC running while you’re away. Here's why it's beneficial to keep your AC on during vacation:

• Control humidity levels - Continuous operation of your air conditioner helps maintain optimal humidity levels indoors, especially in humid weather conditions such as in Dubai. This prevents excess moisture build-up that leads to mold and mildew growth.

• Preserve the structural integrity of the home - By keeping the air conditioner running, you prevent extreme heat buildup that could potentially warp or degrade materials like wood floors and door frames.

• Prevent mold and mildew - Consistent temperature and humidity control, particularly in Dubai's hot and humid weather, reduces the risk of mold and mildew growth, protecting both your home's structure and your health.

• Preservation of belongings - Stable indoor temperatures help protect sensitive belongings such as electronics, artwork, and furniture from heat and mold-related damage.

• Improved air quality - Filtering and circulating air through your HVAC system reduces indoor pollutants and allergens, promoting better indoor air quality when you return home.

• Energy efficiency - Keeping your AC on while you're away can be more energy-efficient than completely turning it off. This approach avoids the need for the unit to run longer to cool down a hot house upon your return.

• Peace of mind - Knowing that your home is protected from potential heat damage and humidity issues during the hot summer in Dubai while you're away provides peace of mind and reduces worry about home maintenance.

• Comfortable return - Returning to a cooled-down home after vacation ensures a comfortable and welcoming environment, especially during the hot and humid summer periods in Dubai.
  

Setting the ideal AC temperature before going on vacation

Setting the correct temperature for your AC before leaving on vacation is crucial for several reasons. It not only helps in conserving energy and reducing costs but also plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy indoor environment, ensuring comfort when you return, and protecting your home from potential issues related to extreme temperatures.

For short vacations lasting a few days, setting your AC to around 26°C is optimal. This temperature strikes a balance. It prevents your home from becoming uncomfortably hot while you're away and helps manage energy costs efficiently.

For longer vacations spanning over a week, setting your AC to around 27-28°C is recommended. This temperature helps maintain a safe environment in your home, guarding against excessive heat and humidity. By doing so, you protect your furniture, electronics, and plants from potential damage and prevent mold growth caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures and moisture.

Pre-vacation AC maintenance

Clear obstructions around the outdoor HVAC unit - Inspect and remove any debris that could obstruct airflow to ensure your AC operates optimally, particularly while you're away on vacation.

AC maintenance - By scheduling a professional AC maintenance service, you can ensure that your AC system receives thorough inspection and servicing before you depart for vacation. This guarantees peace of mind, knowing your AC system has been expertly checked and prepared for optimal performance while you're away.

Closing blinds and curtains- Before heading out on vacation, ensure to close blinds and curtains in your home. This helps to minimize the transfer of solar heat into your living spaces, thereby reducing the workload on your AC system.

AC service after vacation

AC cleaning - Professional AC cleaning removes accumulated debris and dust buildup from your system that may have occurred during your absence, thereby boosting both the unit's efficiency and the indoor air quality in your home.