How to Prepare Your HVAC System for Vacation
Whether you're heading out of town for a weekend or leaving for an extended vacation, it’s important to prepare your home—including your HVAC system—before you go. In areas like Eastlake, Mentor, or Painesville, where weather conditions can shift quickly, taking the right steps can protect your home from damage, improve energy efficiency, and give you peace of mind while you're away.
At Lakeshore Heating & Cooling, we help homeowners across Northeast Ohio optimize and maintain their HVAC systems year-round. If you're planning time away from home, this simple checklist will help ensure your system continues to perform safely and efficiently while you're gone.
Why Preparing Your HVAC System Matters
Leaving your HVAC system unattended while you’re away may seem harmless, but doing so without preparation can lead to costly consequences. In regions like Eastlake, Mentor, and other parts of Northeast Ohio, weather can be unpredictable—dropping below freezing in winter or spiking with heat and humidity in the summer. Your HVAC system plays a critical role in maintaining a safe, energy-efficient, and well-protected home while you're gone.
While it may be tempting to shut the system off entirely to save money, this approach can do more harm than good. Interior temperatures can fluctuate significantly, causing stress to building materials, electronics, or even sensitive finishes like hardwood floors. In winter, turning off the heat risks frozen or burst pipes, especially in older homes or those with plumbing near exterior walls. In summer, an idle AC system allows moisture and humidity to build up—creating ideal conditions for mold growth, musty odors, and damage to furniture or drywall.
Properly prepping your system before a trip provides several key benefits:
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- Maintains stable indoor conditions, preventing damage to your home’s structure and belongings
- Controls indoor humidity, protecting against mold, mildew, and excessive moisture buildup
- Minimizes energy usage, helping you avoid high utility bills while still maintaining comfort
- Reduces stress on your HVAC system, as scheduled temperature adjustments avoid unnecessary strain
- Prevents unexpected breakdowns, which could occur while you're away and lead to bigger issues upon your return
Whether you’re heading to the beach in July or escaping to the mountains in January, taking a few simple precautions ensures your home remains secure—and your HVAC system continues to run efficiently.
At Lakeshore Heating & Cooling, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners across Lake County prepare their systems before leaving town. From pre-vacation tune-ups to smart thermostat installations, we’re here to make sure your return home is just as comfortable as when you left.
HVAC Vacation Prep Checklist
Before leaving for vacation, it’s important to ensure your HVAC system is set up to operate efficiently—or maintain your home safely—while you’re away. Taking a few simple steps can help prevent energy waste, equipment issues, or costly surprises when you return.
Here’s a detailed checklist to follow before your next getaway:
1. Adjust the Thermostat, Don’t Turn It Off
It’s a common mistake to turn the system off entirely while you’re away. While it might seem like a way to save money, shutting it down completely can lead to indoor humidity problems in the summer or frozen pipes in the winter.
Instead, raise or lower the temperature just enough to reduce energy use without compromising your home’s condition.
Recommended vacation settings:
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- Summer: Set your thermostat between 80–85°F to limit cooling without overheating the house.
- Winter: Set it between 55–60°F to prevent freezing but minimize heating costs.
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If you have a smart or programmable thermostat, you can set a schedule or use “vacation mode” to maintain optimal conditions. Lakeshore Heating & Cooling installs and configures smart thermostats throughout Eastlake, Willoughby, and Mentor, and we’re happy to recommend a model that fits your system.
2. Replace or Clean the Air Filter
Your air filter plays a major role in system efficiency and air quality. A clogged filter reduces airflow, increases strain on the blower motor, and can even trigger system shutdowns in some cases.
Before leaving:
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- Remove the old air filter and inspect it for dust, pet hair, or discoloration.
- Replace it with a clean, high-quality filter suitable for your system.
- Consider upgrading to a MERV-rated filter if you want better dust and pollen control while away.
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If you're not sure what size or type of filter you need, our technicians can help during your next tune-up or pre-vacation HVAC inspection.
3. Inspect for Leaks, Rust, and Warning Signs
A quick visual check can reveal early signs of trouble before they become bigger issues while you're gone.
Look for:
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- Moisture pooling around your furnace or AC unit
- Unusual noises or smells when the system runs
- Rust on pipe connections or drain pans
- Blinking lights or error codes on your thermostat or control board
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If anything looks or sounds unusual, schedule a service appointment before you leave. Our team at Lakeshore Heating & Cooling serves homeowners across Painesville, Willowick, and Concord Township, ensuring your system is in peak shape before vacation.
4. Clear the Area Around Your Outdoor Unit
Your outdoor AC condenser or heat pump needs unobstructed airflow to work properly. If you’re gone for a week or longer, a blocked or cluttered area can cause overheating, shutdowns, or efficiency losses.
Here’s what to do:
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- Trim back shrubs or plants at least 2 feet from the unit
- Clear away leaves, grass clippings, sticks, or mulch
- Secure patio furniture or objects that could blow into the unit during storms
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This is especially important during the summer months in Lake County, where sudden thunderstorms can roll through quickly and scatter yard debris.
5. Protect Your System from Power Surges
Power outages and lightning storms are not uncommon in Northeast Ohio, especially during spring and summer. A surge protector or smart thermostat with backup features can protect your HVAC investment from costly damage.
Options to consider:
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- Whole-home surge protection installed at your main panel
- HVAC-specific surge protectors for furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps
- Smart thermostats that provide outage alerts and remote access
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Lakeshore Heating & Cooling can recommend and install the right protection solutions for your home, offering peace of mind while you’re away.
6. Schedule Preventative Maintenance
If it’s been more than six months since your last HVAC tune-up—or if you’ve noticed any signs of poor performance—it’s wise to schedule a maintenance visit before your trip.
A professional inspection can:
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- Identify worn parts or refrigerant issues before they worsen
- Clean coils and check electrical connections for safety
- Ensure thermostat settings are calibrated correctly
- Confirm that your system will run efficiently and reliably while you're gone
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Homeowners often schedule pre-vacation HVAC tune-ups to ensure everything runs smoothly in their absence. Our team offers fast, reliable service tailored to your schedule.
Serving Eastlake and Surrounding Communities
Lakeshore Heating & Cooling proudly provides HVAC services to homeowners throughout Lake County and Northeast Ohio, including:
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- Eastlake
- Willoughby
- Mentor
- Painesville
- Wickliffe
- Willowick
- Kirtland
- Concord Township
- Fairport Harbor
- Madison
- Perry
- Other nearby communities in Cuyahoga and Lake Counties
If you’re planning a trip and want to ensure your home is protected while you’re away, we’re here to help.
Leave with Peace of Mind—We’ll Take Care of the Rest
Don’t risk returning home to HVAC problems. Contact Lakeshore Heating & Cooling to schedule a vacation prep visit, maintenance tune-up, or smart thermostat installation.
We serve Eastlake, Mentor, Willoughby, Painesville, and surrounding Ohio areas with reliable, professional HVAC service—so you can enjoy your time away without worry.
