When leaving for extended periods, many homeowners are uncertain whether it's worth it to turn off their heating and cooling equipment. There are both pros and cons to running your HVAC system while you're gone, and many of these decisions come down to personal choice. Here's a breakdown of the factors so you can make the right decision. 

How to Decide What to Do With Your HVAC System While You’re Away

Why Turn Your HVAC Off

Money is the number one reason to turn off your HVAC system when you leave home. Running your air conditioner or furnace accounts for a large portion of your energy expenditures, meaning higher electrical bills. However, if you're leaving for only an hour or two, the work your air conditioner or furnace has to do to get your home back to the right temperature when you return may eat up any savings.

Why Leave Your HVAC On

For many homeowners, the price of running the heating or cooling while they're gone is worth it to come back to a comfortable home at just the temperature they like. This is also the safest choice if you'll be leaving pets behind in the home. Finally, in winter, turning your heating off may cause your pipes to freeze — a much more expensive problem than a few days of heating costs.

Alternative Options

If you're looking for a balance of benefits, try turning your HVAC system down instead of completely off. Setting the temperature about 10 degrees colder than normal in winter, or lowering the power on your AC in summer, will allow your HVAC equipment to operate efficiently while keeping your home livable and safe. You might also consider a programmable thermostat so you can set the HVAC system to turn off while you're gone and turn back on shortly before you get home. Smart systems also allow you to monitor your home’s temperature remotely, so you’ll enjoy both comfort and savings.

For help installing, maintaining, and upgrading your HVAC system, choose Mill Creek Heating in Turner, OR. Serving Marion County since 2003, their highly trained and fully insured team offers the highest-quality and most energy-efficient equipment available. These friendly and reliable technicians will help you install and maintain an affordable system that keeps your home comfortable. To schedule a visit, call them at (503) 749-1000 or send a message online.