Trane’s Summer Travel Tips: What to Do Before You Head Out

Sponsored Content

Summer vacation season is in full swing for Raleigh families, with many residents planning getaways to the North Carolina mountains, coast or destinations beyond. In North Carolina, around 35% of families report traveling 50 or more miles from home for vacation during the summer months. However, worrying about whether you left the air conditioning running at full blast or forgot to secure your home can put a damper on any trip.

Whether you’re heading to the Outer Banks for a week or taking an extended adventure, preparing your home properly before departure can save you money, help prevent problems, and ensure you return to a comfortable and welcoming space.

By following these essential preparation steps tailored for Raleigh homeowners, you can relax knowing your home is properly secured and efficiently maintained while you’re away.

Essential Pre-Travel Preparation Tips

Tip No. 1: Deep Clean Before You Leave

Summer departures often happen in a rush, but taking time for a thorough cleaning prevents unpleasant surprises upon your return. In Raleigh’s humid summer climate, leaving dirty dishes, damp towels or trash behind can quickly lead to odors and even mold growth while you’re away.

Complete these essential cleaning tasks before departure: Take out trash from every room (including bathrooms and bedrooms), vacuum and dust all surfaces, wash and put away all dishes, ensure your washing machine is empty with all clothes properly dried and stored, and make your bed so you can sink right into clean sheets after traveling.

This upfront effort means you’ll return to a fresh, clean home instead of diving straight into chores after a long day of travel—especially important during Raleigh’s muggy summer months when humidity can intensify any lingering odors.

Tip No. 2: Optimize Your HVAC System for Maximum Savings

This is where Raleigh homeowners can achieve the most significant savings while protecting their homes. Your HVAC system represents your largest energy expense during the summer, making smart adjustments crucial for vacation preparation.

Adjust your thermostat to reduce energy costs while maintaining your home’s integrity in our humid climate. Raise your cooling temperature to 78-80 degrees while away—your system can handle the Raleigh heat without running constantly. However, never turn your air conditioning off completely. Raleigh’s summer humidity can cause serious problems if indoor temperatures rise too high, potentially leading to mold growth or damage to wooden furniture and flooring.

Consider investing in a smart thermostat, such as the Trane® LINK UX360, which allows you to control your HVAC settings from the comfort of your own device. This technology allows you to monitor and adjust your home’s temperature remotely—turn your system to energy-saving mode during your absence, then restore comfortable temperatures hours before your return. Smart thermostats learn your patterns and can integrate with other home automation systems, helping reduce your energy usage during the summer season.

For any additional questions surrounding how to make sure that your HVAC system is ready for you to hit the road, please contact your local Trane Comfort Specialist™. 

Tip No. 3: Arrange Plant and Pet Care

Raleigh’s summer heat and humidity create challenging conditions for both houseplants and pets left behind. Indoor plants may need more frequent watering during hot spells, so consider investing in self-watering systems or recruiting a trusted neighbor or professional plant sitter.

For pets staying home, arrange care well in advance. While fish and small pets might manage with automatic feeders, cats and dogs require more attention—especially during Raleigh’s hot summers when they need climate-controlled environments. Ensure caregivers have access to adequate food, medications and your veterinarian’s contact information.

Consider installing a smart lock system if you frequently travel. This eliminates the need to hide keys or coordinate pickups, allowing pet sitters secure access while giving you monitoring capabilities through smartphone apps—perfect for checking that your Raleigh home remains secure.

Tip No. 4: Clear Out Perishables and Prep Your Kitchen

Plan your grocery shopping carefully the week before departure. Raleigh’s summer heat accelerates food spoilage, so consume all fruits, vegetables and perishables before leaving. Items left in your refrigerator during hot, humid weather can quickly decay, creating odors and attracting insects common to our North Carolina climate.

Clean out your refrigerator completely and coordinate with your neighborhood trash pickup schedule—consider asking a neighbor to handle trash duties so you stay on schedule. A smart strategy is preparing a hearty frozen meal using perishables before you leave, giving you a ready-to-heat dinner when you return tired from travel.

Tip No. 5: Maintain Home Security and Curb Appeal

Avoid making your home look obviously vacant during peak vacation season. Summer break-ins increase when homes appear empty for an extended period of time. Keep at least one car in your driveway, arrange for mail and package holds or ask neighbors to collect deliveries, and ensure your lawn is mowed and landscaping maintained—overgrown grass is a dead giveaway during Raleigh’s active growing season.

Most importantly, avoid posting travel plans on social media until after you return and set interior lights on timers to maintain the appearance of occupancy while saving energy. Focus on rooms visible from the street and vary the timing to create realistic patterns.

Tip No. 6: Secure Your Home’s Entry Points

As you pack and prepare, systematically check all potential entry points. Walk through your Raleigh home and ensure windows are closed and locked—many homeowners crack windows for fresh air and forget to secure them before leaving. Pay special attention to basement doors, garage entries and any outdoor access points.

Before your final departure, complete a security walk-around, ensuring all doors are locked and any security systems are activated. Smart locks can integrate with other home systems, providing remote monitoring capabilities and temporary access codes for pet sitters or plant-care providers.

Don’t forget to check sliding doors, which can be secured with additional bars or rods, and ensure any spare keys are retrieved from hiding spots that might be discovered.

Preparing for Your Return

Set yourself up for success by preparing utilities and comfort systems for your return. Unplug small electronics and chargers to save energy but maintain essential systems. If your water heater has a vacation mode, activate it for additional energy savings during extended absences.

Consider your return timing when adjusting your smart thermostat—program it to restore comfortable temperatures a few hours before arrival, so you walk into a cool, comfortable home after traveling.

Professional Support When You Need It

If you’re unsure about any HVAC adjustments or discover issues with your cooling system before departure, contact your local Trane Comfort Specialist™ . They can ensure your system is optimized for efficient operation during your absence and ready to provide reliable comfort when you return.

By following these comprehensive preparation steps, Raleigh homeowners can enjoy summer travels knowing their homes are secure, efficient and ready for a comfortable return. The money saved on utility bills through smart system management can even contribute to your next vacation fund—making thoughtful home preparation a win-win for your comfort and budget.

For additional information, please visit trane.com/residential or contact your local Trane Comfort Specialist™.