If a vacation is on the horizon, you’re probably juggling flights, hotel bookings, packing lists, and ways to keep the kids entertained during the trip. The last thing on your mind is your home’s air conditioning or plumbing system. But before you grab your bags and board that plane, taking a few minutes to go through a solid vacation plumbing and AC prep checklist can save you from costly headaches while you’re gone.
Why You Should Think About Your Home’s Systems Before You Leave
Let us be real — nobody wants to come home to a flooded basement, mold growth, or an electric bill that skyrockets because your HVAC system ran nonstop. We’ll lay out how to prepare your home for vacation, covering plumbing, air conditioning, water management, and general peace of mind.
Preparing Your HVAC Before Vacation
Taking care of HVAC before you go gives you better control over energy use and keeps your indoor air quality stable. This section explains how to prep your HVAC before leaving on vacation in a few simple steps.
Change or Clean Air Filters
Before you lock up and hit the road, swap out your HVAC system’s air filters. If you’re using disposable filters, replace them with fresh ones. If you’ve got washable ones, rinse them thoroughly and let them dry completely before reinstalling. Clean filters help your system breathe easier, maintain good airflow, and keep dust and allergens from circulating in the house.
When filters get clogged, your system has to work harder to push air through, which drives up your energy bill. Plus, returning to a musty or dusty-smelling house after a relaxing trip is no fun. A clean filter improves indoor air quality and keeps your system running smoother for longer.
Set a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
A programmable or smart thermostat can be a lifesaver while you’re away. Set it to a temperature that saves energy but still protects your home. In the summer, bump it up a few degrees. Temperatures between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit usually work well to prevent humidity buildup. You don’t want the system running full blast in an empty house, but you also don’t want it to feel sweltering when you return.
Smart thermostats let you make adjustments from your smartphone, which comes in handy if your plans change or you return early. Some models even learn your habits and make energy-saving adjustments on their own. It’s one less thing to worry about and adds a layer of flexibility if you’re managing your home from a distance.
Give the AC a Quick Check
Take a few minutes to give your air conditioning system a visual check-up. Walk around the outdoor condenser and clear away any leaves, branches, or debris. Make sure the unit isn’t blocked and that airflow can move freely. Inside, check your vents and the air handler. Make sure nothing is obstructed and that everything looks clean and dry.
Then, run the system for a few minutes to listen for any unusual sounds like rattling, hissing, or banging. These can be signs of loose parts, refrigerant issues, or other problems you don’t want to leave unattended. Catching something early lets you handle it before it turns into an emergency while you’re on vacation.
Plumbing Prep Before Vacation
Little leaks can become big disasters fast. In this section, we’ll explain how to prepare your home’s plumbing before going on vacation by checking valves, drains, and appliances.
Inspect for Leaks Around Plumbing Fixtures
Before you go, walk through your home and check every sink, toilet, tub, and appliance. Look under cabinets for any moisture, water stains, or warped wood. These are signs that something is leaking. Even a slow drip can cause mold or structural damage if it goes unnoticed for too long.
Don’t forget to check around the base of the toilet and behind your washing machine and dishwasher. If anything looks off, get it fixed before you leave. A quick repair now is far better than coming home to a flooded bathroom or laundry room.
Turn Off Water Supply Where Possible
Turning off the water supply can drastically reduce the risk of a plumbing disaster while you’re away. You don’t necessarily need to shut off water to the entire house (unless you’ll be gone for an extended period), but turning off individual supply valves under sinks, toilets, and appliances is a great start.
This step is simple and powerful. If a pipe bursts or a hose fails, the damage is limited if the water isn’t actively flowing. It’s a small effort that provides serious peace of mind, especially if you’ve had plumbing issues in the past.
Check Drains and Avoid Backflow
Run water into every drain, especially in areas you don’t use often, like basement bathrooms or laundry room sinks. This keeps the water in the P-traps from evaporating, which helps block sewer gas from coming into your home. If you want to be extra safe, add a splash of vinegar to the drain to help break down buildup and prevent odors.
While you’re at it, make sure none of the drains are slow or backed up. A partial clog today could become a full blockage while you’re away. That could cause water to back up into sinks, tubs, or even your basement, especially if there’s heavy rain or a surge in your city’s sewer line.
Pause Appliances
If you’re leaving for more than a week, it’s worth unplugging or pausing appliances like the dishwasher and washing machine. Shut off their water supply lines, too, as this takes pressure off hoses and fittings. Even high-quality hoses can wear out or burst under constant pressure.
Bringing It All Together: Your Vacation Plumbing and AC Prep Checklist
Here’s a simple checklist to follow before leaving on vacation:
- Turn off or restrict the water supply to household plumbing fixtures.
- Run water into seldom-used drains to keep U‑traps primed.
- Inspect under sinks, dishwasher, and toilet areas for leak signs.
- Replace or clean air filters.
- Set the thermostat on energy-saving mode with a timer or smart schedule.
- Clean around the condenser and air handler units.
- Unplug or shut off washing machines, dishwashers, or auxiliary pumps.
- Double-check that all valves are closed and pipes are secure.
With this vacation plumbing and AC prep checklist, you’ll reduce the odds of leaks, water damage, HVAC headaches, or wasted energy bills.
Bonus Tips for Home Comfort While You’re Away
Besides ticking off your main checklist items, here are a few extra ways to protect your home:
Monitor Water Heater and Energy Use
Turn down the water heater if you can. That reduces standby heat loss and saves energy. A lower water heater temperature slows down microbial growth and just keeps things safer.
Airflow and Ventilation
Even before you leave, vacuum vents, dust off air ducts, and clear rooms of dust buildup. Cleaner airflow helps air conditioning work more efficiently and keeps indoor air quality better when you return.
Keep an Eye on Intangibles
Avoid odors or mold growing by running exhaust fans briefly before leaving. Make sure drains aren’t blocked and ventilated areas (like bathrooms) are dry.
What to Check on Return Day
Once you’re back home, there’s a short list of things to walk through to make sure everything is running smoothly again. It doesn’t take long, and it helps catch any potential issues early before they become real problems. Here’s what to do when you return:
- Turn your water supply back on slowly and carefully. Listen for any sounds of rushing water or dripping. If you hear anything unusual, investigate before opening all the valves.
- Check under sinks and around appliances for signs of moisture, leaks, or musty smells. This includes your dishwasher, washing machine, and the area around the base of the toilet.
- Flush each toilet and run each faucet for a few minutes. This clears out any stagnant water and refills drain traps to keep sewer gases out.
- Inspect your HVAC system by lowering the thermostat to your preferred temperature and letting it run through a full cycle. Make sure cool or warm air is coming through vents evenly.
- Check your air filters again. If you’re returning from a long trip, dust might have settled, especially if any construction or wildfire smoke happened while you were gone.
Have Lee’s Air, Plumbing & Heating Help You Prep
If you’d like help crossing every item off your list, Lee’s Air, Plumbing & Heating in Fresno and Sacramento is ready to step in. Since 1981, our team of experienced technicians has provided trusted home services with friendly, professional treatment. We’re proud to be a trusted partner in your community.
If moving through the vacation plumbing and AC prep checklist feels overwhelming, let us take some of the load off you. We offer a wide range of services, from drain cleaning to AC tune-ups in Sacramento, Fresno, and the surrounding areas. Call us to schedule your service today. This way, you can relax on vacation knowing your home was prepped the right way.
Let’s Make Your Home Vacation-Ready
Planning for vacation is exciting and busy. By going through our vacation plumbing and AC prep checklist, you shield your home from water damage, mold, energy waste, unexpected leaks, or HVAC problems. Turning off or limiting your water supply, cleaning filters, programming your thermostat, checking equipment, and clearing drains all help make going away smoother. If you want extra confidence in your prep, reach out to Lee’s Air, Plumbing & Heating now!
Whether you need assistance with your air conditioner or think it’s time for a professional drain cleaning in Fresno, we’ll bring our expertise to your home and make sure you’re covered while you’re gone.
