Your heating and cooling system is easily one of the most important systems in your home, and whether you live in your home year round or rent it during summer months to vacationers, you’re going to want to make sure that you do everything in your power to keep it running in tip-top shape. Staying cool and comfortable in your rental home is an important part of an enjoyable vacation, and it never hurts to remind your renters of how best to take care of your air conditioning system in order to ensure that it runs smoothly and efficiently. We’re giving you our list of basic things to keep in mind while operating the air conditioning system in your rental home this summer.

  • Equipment location. Make sure to follow instructions regarding cooling equipment, including the thermostat. Be able to locate everything in the event that you need to adjust the temperature or call for AC repairs. If there are multiple thermostats, make sure that they are all set to operate in the correct mode.
  • Thermostat instructions. Keep in mind that heat pumps work just like traditional air conditioning systems in the cooling mode. The cooling mechanics can’t be compared to an accelerator pedal in a vehicle– your cooling system will continue to cool at the same rate whether it’s set to 80 or 60 degrees. With that being said, continuing to lower the temperature will not get your home to your desired temperature any faster. Additionally, you may find that many homeowners have set their thermostats so that they can’t be lowered beyond a certain point. Doing so helps them to keep energy costs under control while their homes are occupied.
  • Clean Air Filters. More than likely, the homeowners or rental company have already taken the time to replace or clean the air filters before you arrive for your stay, but if you happen to notice that cool air doesn’t seem to be circulating as it should be, make sure that the air filters are clean!
  • Keep Doors and Windows Shut. This one probably goes without saying, but if your AC system is running, all of your doors and windows should be shut. Not only will hot air enter your home, but it will also cause the registers to sweat due to increased humidity that is in the outdoor air, which may lead to damage of the surface area around the registers over time.
  • Turn it Up. Your body doesn’t require the same amount of cooling while at rest. Remember to turn the air conditioning up a couple of degrees before going to sleep to save energy and reduce wear and tear on the AC system. Additionally, make sure that you turn the system up to around 78 degrees when you leave at the end of your stay. Never turn the AC system completely off during cooling season when leaving your home as it may take as much as 24 hours to get down to a comfortable temperature once again.
  • Use Ceiling Fans. If your home has ceiling fans, use them to supplement the cooling effect of the AC system. The fan should blow down to create a cool breeze on your skin in cooling season.  The air movement makes it feel cooler than it actually is, thereby saving energy.
  • Keep Us in Mind: No matter how well you maintain your heat pump, sometimes emergencies are inevitable. If your air conditioning does stop working, make sure that your renters know who to call for fast emergency service. One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Outer Banks is always available to help when you find yourself in need of HVAC service. For the incidents that you can’t predict, make sure that your renters will be in good hands when you aren’t around.

If you have any questions about the air conditioning system in your home or rental home, give us a call today! Don’t find yourself in a bind come July and August when we’re completely booked up – we want to help you have the best and most comfortable summer yet! Call us today to schedule an appointment.