Winter is a great time to take a vacation, but before doing so, tend to your HVAC system and other critical components of your home before you leave. A bit of preparation before you go will assure you that your home will be safe and secure during your absence. 

• Change the air filter for the blower if it's dusty. The furnace will run more efficiently. 
• Schedule a heating system tune-up if you haven't had it serviced this year. Besides running more efficiently, a maintenance visit may turn up any issues that could become bigger problems while you're away. Considering how cold it is in the winter here, the preventative care will give you peace of mind while you're away. If your furnace doesn't run properly, you risk frozen pipes and the damage that plumbing problems cause.
• Find someone to check your home daily.
• Having someone park an extra car in driveway will deter thieves who'll think that the home is occupied. 
• Verify that all your exterior lights and motion detectors are working.
• Put several lights and a radio on timers and test your smoke detectors. 
• If you're going to be gone more than a few days, turn the water valve off to your home. Once off, turn on a faucet and leave it open for 15 seconds or longer to make sure there's air in the pipes to prevent broken pipes.
• Turn the thermostat for your HVAC system down to 60 degrees F to save energy. It's also a good idea to open the cabinets under the kitchen and bathroom sinks so that the pipes stay warmer, especially if they're located on exterior walls.
• Take any valuables from your bedroom and hide them in an unlikely space. The first place many burglars go is the master bedroom, looking for cash and jewelry.
• Pull the plug on your automatic garage door and lock the connecting door from the garage to the house. 

The pros at Tri-County Heating & Cooling can help you prepare the HVAC system in your Cincinnati area home, helping it run smoothly and safely throughout the heating season.

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