Should I Turn My AC Up When I Leave for the Weekend?

VACATION HVAC • THERMOSTAT SETBACK • SUMMER COMFORT

You're leaving for the lake.

Nobody will be home.

So why cool an empty house to 72?

Fair question.

You can usually raise the thermostat while you're away.

THE BETTER SUMMER STRATEGY Setback—not abandonment.

Completely shutting cooling down during hot, humid weather may not be the best approach for every home.

Your AC Controls More Than Temperature

Cooling also removes moisture.

If you completely shut cooling down for several hot and humid days, indoor temperature and humidity can rise.

That can affect:

Comfort when you return

Indoor moisture

Wood materials

Belongings

Basement conditions

Recovery time

SUMMER COMFORT ISN'T JUST A TEMPERATURE NUMBER Your HVAC system also helps manage moisture while you're gone.

How Much Should You Raise It?

There is no perfect number for every home.

A moderate increase can reduce cooling demand without letting the house become excessively hot or humid.

Consider:

Pets

Plants

Indoor humidity

Home construction

Electronics

How long you're gone

Outdoor forecast

A weekend away is different from leaving a Minnesota home unattended for a month.

Smart Thermostats Make This Easier

A programmable or smart thermostat can let the home run warmer while you're away and begin recovering before you return.

YOU LEAVE Raise the set point

→

HOUSE IS EMPTY Reduce cooling demand

→

BEFORE YOU RETURN Start recovery

That means you do not need the AC maintaining your preferred occupied temperature for three empty days.

And you also do not need to walk back into an 86-degree house Sunday night.

Don't Set It Extremely High Just to Save a Few Dollars

If the thermostat normally sits at 72 and you raise it dramatically, the AC may have a large amount of heat and moisture to remove when you return.

WHILE YOU'RE AWAY Heat builds inside

+

HUMID WEATHER Moisture can rise

+

WHEN YOU RETURN Longer recovery

During very hot conditions, recovery can take time.

THE GOAL Balance energy savings with the conditions you are creating inside the house.

What About Pets?

Pets change the answer.

Indoor animals still need safe temperatures.

COMFORT SETTING ≠ SAFETY SETTING Your preferred human thermostat setting may not be necessary, but do not create unsafe indoor conditions to save energy.

Should You Turn the AC Completely Off?

For a short summer trip, many homeowners are better served by raising the thermostat instead of shutting cooling down completely.

There can be exceptions.

Every home and trip is different.

OPTION A Turn cooling completely off

vs.

OPTION B Use a reasonable temperature setback

Remember: your HVAC system also helps manage humidity while you are gone.

Before You Leave

Do a quick check:

1. 01 Check the filter and replace it if needed.
2. 02 Make sure the thermostat is programmed correctly.
3. 03 Close windows.
4. 04 Secure exterior doors.
5. 05 Position blinds or shades appropriately.
6. 06 Make sure the outdoor AC area is clear.
7. 07 Check that condensate drainage looks normal.

THEN? Go enjoy the weekend.

Coming Home to a Hot House?

Do not set the thermostat to 60 because you want 72 quickly.

YOUR THERMOSTAT IS A TARGET Setting it dramatically lower generally does not make a conventional AC cool the house faster.

Set the desired temperature and allow the system to recover.

SET DESIRED TEMPERATURE → ALLOW NORMAL OPERATION → WATCH RECOVERY

If the system cannot bring the home back down after reasonable operation, that may indicate a cooling issue.

Vacation Thermostat Advice Should Fit the House

Air Comfort helps Minnesota homeowners balance comfort, efficiency and real-world HVAC operation without turning thermostat advice into a rigid rulebook.

01 How long you're gone

02 Weather conditions

03 Indoor humidity

04 Who or what remains home

THE SIMPLE IDEA You probably do not need to cool an empty house exactly like an occupied one—but you also do not need to abandon climate control entirely.

NOT SURE HOW YOUR AC SHOULD BEHAVE WHILE YOU'RE AWAY?

Use a Setback That Makes Sense for Your Home

Air Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning helps homeowners throughout Anoka County, the North Metro and surrounding Minnesota communities make practical decisions about thermostat settings, humidity, cooling performance and summer comfort.

If your home takes an unusually long time to recover after a normal temperature setback, or cannot reach the set point at all, the issue may be more than the vacation setting.

CALL 763-753-6623 REQUEST SERVICE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Vacation AC Questions

Should I turn my AC off when I leave for vacation?

A moderate temperature setback is often more practical during summer because cooling also helps manage indoor moisture.

Does setting the thermostat higher save energy?

Reducing cooling demand while the home is unoccupied can reduce energy use.

Should I cool the house before I arrive home?

A programmable or smart thermostat can begin recovery in advance so you return to a more comfortable temperature.