Going on vacation? Don't invite mold to
house-sit
Think you can save a few bucks by turning off the air conditioner at home while your family takes a long summer vacation? You could be surprised by smelly, unhealthy mold and mildew when you get back.
Keeping the house cool while you're gone will prevent the stagnant air, high humidity and hot temperatures in which mold and mildew thrive.
Instead of shutting down your air conditioner, install a programmable thermostat or a timer before you leave. Set it so the system runs just two hours a day- enough to keep the indoor temperature below 82 degrees and the humidity less than 70 percent, conditions that invite mold growth.
Set the thermostat so it will run a few degrees cooler than the anticipated nighttime low temperature while you’re gone.
Still, some appliances can take a vacation while you're away.
- Turn the water heater off at the breaker so it doesn’t maintain hot water in the tank.
- Switch off the swimming pool heater.
- Set the refrigerator at the warmest setting