Short answer: Going on vacation should be an exciting time for your family. You would hate to come home and find that somebody has broken into your home, your dog has not been fed or your electronics have overheated. Here are a few tips that will keep your home safe while you are on vacation:
1) Leave your air conditioner on a timer. Setting it on a higher temperature than usual will ensure that your belongings aren’t adversely affected by increasing temperatures, especially in the summer months. You might even find that your thermostat has a special vacation setting on it.
2) Put all your mail on hold with the post office, or make arrangements for somebody to pick it up each day. If a potential burglar notices mail piling up, this is a sign that robbing your home is a safe idea. This one might seem like a no brainer, but people are affected by it each day.
3) Lock your doors and windows, securing them tightly before you leave. So you don't have that uncertain pit in your stomach once miles away… always do a final once over just before walking out the door.
4) Get a neighbor you trust to keep an eye on your house, picking up newspapers and watering the lawn for you. This is another great deterrent to thieves who might want to break in. Always avoiding the appearance of abandonment.
5) Keep those vacation plans to yourself, or at least to a small group of people you trust. This includes keeping your plans out of public arenas like Social Media.
Unfortunately, one of the best deterrents to burglars is leaving a light on in the house. Also, having your cooling or heating unit on, depending on the time of year, gives the impression that someone may be in the home. You can save money by putting one of your living room lamps on a timer to turn on only at night. These simple tips may use a small amount of energy… but it’s a lot less than replacing your valuables after an invasion.
Your home deserves the best care, especially if you are leaving and want to keep it safe while you are away. Contact The Cooling Company if you are having any problems with or need basic maintenance on your HVAC system, especially if you are planning to go on vacation and want to benefit from the tips listed above. Remember… you always want your home to have some appearance of being occupied.
1) Leave your air conditioner on a timer.
Enhanced guidance: Leaving your A/C running on a sensible schedule protects electronics, wood furniture, and indoor plants from extreme heat and low humidity typical of Las Vegas summers. Instead of running at your normal comfort setting, set the thermostat higher while you are away but within safe limits.
Practical thermostat settings and tips
- Recommended summer away setting: 78 to 82°F. This prevents temperatures from rising to damaging levels while saving energy.
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat with a vacation mode. Set it to cool during the hottest parts of the day and allow small setbacks overnight.
- If you have sensitive items (wine, musical instruments, pets staying home), opt for the lower end of the range and monitor remotely via an app.
- Humidity control matters. If your system has a dehumidifier or humidity control, keep it enabled to avoid condensation or heat stress on electronics.
Safety and maintenance checklist before you leave
- #### 48 hours before leaving:
- Replace the HVAC filter to improve airflow and reduce the chance of system strain. See our filter cleaning guide for help.
- Check the condensate drain for clogs to prevent overflow and water damage.
- #### 24 hours before leaving:
- Run the A/C to confirm it reaches and holds the vacation setting.
- Note any unusual noises or odors and schedule service if needed.
If you notice your system not cooling properly before you go, see our troubleshooting guide for heaters and HVAC issues or contact us for same-day AC repair service.
2) Put all your mail on hold with the post office, or make arrangements for somebody to pick it up each day.
Enhanced guidance: Visible mail and parcels are one of the most common signs a home is unoccupied. In Las Vegas, where package theft rises around holiday seasons and big conventions, reducing visible deliveries is critical.
How to minimize delivery risk
- Use USPS Hold Mail for the exact dates you will be gone. This is free and secure.
- For packages, use carrier hold options (UPS My Choice, FedEx Hold at Location) or route deliveries to a trusted work address.
- Schedule deliveries for a neighbor or set up a lockable parcel box at your property.
- Temporarily suspend any recurring services that leave equipment or notices outside, such as lawn maintenance or delivery subscriptions.
Quick checklist for mail and packages
- #### Before you leave:
- Place mail on hold with USPS online.
- Notify trusted neighbor(s) to retrieve any unexpected deliveries.
- Enable delivery notifications from carriers so someone can pick up packages promptly.
Consider camera placement covering your porch and driveway for peace of mind. These steps pair well with the lighting and occupancy simulation tips below to reduce risk.
5) Keep those vacation plans to yourself, or at least to a small group of people you trust.
Enhanced guidance: Publicly sharing travel plans can quickly turn into a security risk. Even seemingly harmless posts on social media can be monitored by opportunistic burglars. Combine discretion with technology to create the appearance of occupancy.
Practical privacy and occupancy-simulation tips
- Avoid posting real-time updates about being away. Post photos after you return.
- Use smart plugs and timers to schedule lights, radios, or TVs to power on in the evening.
- Put one or two lamps on a programmable timer rather than leaving lights on 24/7. This gives a realistic occupancy pattern while using minimal energy.
- If you have a smart thermostat, set occasional small adjustments remotely to simulate activity.
Quick checklist for social and tech safety
- #### Before you leave:
- Limit social posts and tighten privacy settings.
- Share your travel only with one or two trusted contacts.
- Activate home monitoring apps and ensure notifications are set to go to someone who can act.
Keeping plans private combined with simple automation is a strong deterrent and reduces the chance you come home to a break-in.
Before You Leave: HVAC Checklist for Las Vegas Summers
Home Emergency Plan & Smart Options While You’re Away
A clear emergency plan and a few smart devices reduce worry and speed recovery if something goes wrong.
- Leave a concise emergency contact list with a trusted neighbor, including your phone, local family member, and The Cooling Company emergency line.
- Show someone where the main water shutoff and electrical panel are located in case a plumber or electrician must respond.
- Consider smart sensors for water leaks, temperature, and door/window openings. These send alerts immediately and can prevent water damage or extended heat exposure.
- Use remote monitoring for your thermostat and HVAC to adjust settings if temperatures rise unexpectedly.
Emergency HVAC steps
- If you get an alert that your system is down while away, ask a neighbor to check the outdoor unit for obvious issues like power outages or debris.
- Contact emergency HVAC service as soon as possible. For urgent heating or cooling emergencies, see our guide to emergency fixes and when to call a pro.
- If you return home to a non-working system, start with our quick troubleshooting tips before a service call.
Putting a plan in place and using a couple of smart devices gives real-time protection and a path to fast recovery if issues occur while you enjoy your trip.
Las Vegas heat can quickly expose HVAC weaknesses. A quick pre-trip HVAC check saves headaches and prevents emergency breakdowns while you are away.
- Change your air filter and inspect vents for blockages.
- Check outdoor unit: clear debris, trim plants, and ensure the condenser fan spins freely.
- Test thermostat controls and confirm remote access works for smart thermostats.
- Look for water stains or leaks around the indoor unit or ductwork.
- If your system is more than 8-10 years old or you notice reduced cooling, schedule a pre-vacation tune-up to avoid failures during extreme heat.
Timing recommendations
- Schedule any maintenance 3 to 7 days before departure so technicians can run the system and confirm reliability.
- If you notice your A/C struggling in the days before you leave, contact The Cooling Company for fast help or same-day service.
These steps are especially important in Las Vegas where afternoon temperatures regularly spike and can cause rapid interior temperature climbs if an HVAC fails.
Related service: Need HVAC help before your trip? Explore our AC maintenance and AC repair services for Las Vegas homeowners.
Need HVAC Service in Las Vegas?
The Cooling Company provides expert HVAC service throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. Our licensed technicians deliver honest assessments, upfront pricing, and reliable results.
Call (702) 567-0707 or visit AC repair, maintenance, heating, or installation for details.