The Detroit home service company warns homeowners they can come back to flooding and high utility bills if they don't take precautions before taking a trip

DETROIT, July 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation heads out on summer vacations, C & C Heating & Air Conditioning, a leading Detroit-area heating and cooling company with more than seven decades of experience, encourages homeowners to prepare their homes so they don't come back to higher utility bills or plumbing disasters.

"People often think about having neighbors check their mail or even putting their lights on a timer, but your checklist should be more complete," said C & C Heating & Air Conditioning General Manager Dayna Hottle. "For example, you need to consider that your plumbing and your HVAC system won't be monitored during the time you're gone. If they malfunction or run too much, you could come home to flooding or a huge energy bill."

Hottle said homeowners should consider purchasing a water monitoring system with an automatic water shutoff valve to protect their homes from flooding should a pipe leak or even burst while they are away.

"You may not think a small leak can do much damage, but if it's left to drip the whole time your family is away, it can escalate into a much bigger issue," she said. "For example, a water heater leak can flood your whole basement or spread throughout the flooring of a home. This can result in thousands of dollars in damage."

Hottle said that homeowners should reset their water heaters to "vacation mode," and adjust HVAC settings to run at 78-80 degrees. They can also invest in a smart thermostat that can be monitored via cellphone, table or computer from anywhere there is internet connectivity.

"You don't want to turn your water heater and HVAC completely off while you're on vacation," she said. "In the summer, shutting off the water heater can allow bacteria to grow in your tank, polluting your hot water supply. And allowing your home to become too humid by not running any air conditioning while you're away encourages mildew growth and can damage wood furniture, flooring and trim."

Hottle said that other items that should be on a homeowner's checklist include:

• Unplugging large appliances. Disconnecting computers, stoves and entertainment centers can protect a home from power surges should it storm while the homeowner is away.
• Setting alarms. Many alarm systems also have a vacation mode setting or should be set so that they are armed 24/7. Notifying the alarm company that the home will be vacant during a certain time gives the company a heads up to prioritize alarm responses, too.
• Adjusting window coverings. Closing the blinds or curtains will not only keep prying eyes from looking in to see that no one is home, but it'll block out the sun, which helps keep the energy bill lower.

"We want people to have fun on their vacation without worrying that they'll come home to a flood or a high utility bill," Hottle said. "So, when making checklists of items you need to bring with you, make sure you also make a list of how to protect your home while you're away."

For more information about C & C Heating & Air Conditioning, call (586) 439-3319 or visit https://candcheat.com/.

About C & C Heating & Air Conditioning

C & C Heating & Air Conditioning is a Detroit area heating and cooling company with more than seven decades of expertise installing and servicing all makes and models of heating and cooling equipment. Their technicians are highly trained and qualified and undergo annual background checks, random drug testing, extensive technical and customer service training and are North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certified. Services include HVAC maintenance and repair, duct cleaning, whole-home air filtration systems, indoor air quality systems and comprehensive maintenance agreements. For more information, call C & C Heating & Air Conditioning at (586) 439-3319 or visit their website at https://candcheat.com/.

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SOURCE C & C Heating & Air Conditioning