Whether you’re jetting to the other side of the country on a business trip or taking the family on a tour of the country’s national parks, it’s important to prepare your home before you leave. An unoccupied house in Dover, Delaware, can develop poor indoor air quality (IAQ), so here’s how to prevent it.
Let Your HVAC System Run
During the spring and summer, you don’t want your air conditioner to run constantly while you’re away because it’s pointless to cool an empty home. However, if you turn off the system entirely, the AC can’t dry the air out to prevent mildew and other issues related to high humidity.
Set your thermostat so the air will run every once in awhile. For instance, if you normally keep the thermostat on 78 degrees, you might increase it to 81 or 82 degrees while you’re gone. That way, you won’t waste money, but you also won’t return to a humid house. You can also upgrade to a programmable Wi-Fi thermostat, which allows you to change your settings while you’re on the road.
Change Your Air Filter
Dust and dirt can accumulate even while you’re jet-setting around the world on an extended vacation. Before you leave, change the air filter so it can trap as many contaminants as possible. It’s also smart to give your home a thorough cleaning just before your vacation or business trip. Get underneath the furniture, on top of the cabinets, and in other places you sometimes neglect.
Recovering From Poor IAQ
If, despite your best efforts, you return to a house filled with foul odors, excess dust, or other IAQ problems, our trained technicians can help remedy the problem. Our pros can install an air cleaner, air purifier, or UV lamp, for instance, to help filter pathogens and contaminants from the air.
Summer means vacation opportunities for many Dover families. If you take steps to prevent poor IAQ, you’ll return to a healthy home. For an indoor air quality evaluation, call Griffith Energy Services at 888-474-3391.
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