What Should I Set My Thermostat to When I’m on Vacation?
If you’re planning to take a vacation, your feelings might focus on packing your suitcase and making sure all travel arrangements are ready to go. But remember to prepare the house for your time away as well.
One common question people ask is this: What adjust my thermostat to while I’m on vacation? Your hope will often be to reduce costs, but don’t be tempted to completely turn off your HVAC system. The furnace or AC system should still run a little to avoid severe heat or cold, depending on the season. Here’s what you have to know about setting your thermostat when you are gone on vacation.
Adjusting the Thermostat for a Summer Vacation
If you’re on vacation at the peak of summer, you should expect the temperature inside your house to rise as it gets warmer outside each day. With no air conditioning at all, the temperature may quickly surpass 90 degrees inside—not exciting news if you’re worried about fragile belongings. A good guideline is to adjust the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees warmer than you ordinarily do during the day without going over 85 degrees. This is a great compromise between conserving energy and protecting everything inside your home. If you prefer a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat, keep in mind that a “temporary” hold will return to your standard schedule at the next programmed time. So you should try the “permanent” or “vacation” hold setting when going out of town to ensure your preferred temperature sticks.Setting the Thermostat for a Winter Vacation
To figure out the perfect thermostat setting when on vacation in the winter, implement the same technique suggested above, but backward—that is, set the temperature 5 to 10 degrees cooler than you normally do throughout the day without slipping below 60 degrees. The biggest reason to keep your home warm while you’re out of town is to prevent frozen pipes. Your plumbing that runs near exterior walls and through unfinished spaces is the most at risk. Keeping the temperature at 60 degrees or warmer lowers this risk. Another smart idea is to have the cupboard doors open to help warm air flow around the pipes underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks. You may also want to turn off the water at the central shut-off valve to prevent a plumbing crisis while you’re away.Setting a Smart Thermostat Before Taking a Vacation
If you don’t already have a Wi-Fi or “smart” thermostat, this could be an ideal time to upgrade. The latest upgrades in thermostat technologies provide outstanding benefits, both while you’re at home and on vacation. As an example, you can check in on the temperature remotely via your tablet or smartphone. Find out how frequently the AC or furnace has been turning on in your absence as it holds the temperature you decided on before you left. If you’re unsatisfied with what you discover, you can control the thermostat from wherever using your internet-enabled device. You can even set a comfortable temperature that will resume when you’re just about an hour away from home. For even more peace of mind, Wi-Fi thermostats alert you of unforeseen environmental variations, like a higher-than-expected temperature or excess moisture while you’re away from home.Additional Vacation Recommendations
Keep these things in mind to see to it that your home is good to go before going on your trip:-
- Consider any delicate paintings, electronics or houseplants that can be vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
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- If you’re leaving pets at home or have planned to have a house sitter visit, you will want to leave the temperature closer to normal—such as 80 degrees in the summer and 65 degrees in the winter—so the home is comfortable enough for them.
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- Close your blinds and drapes to help keep the hot sun or cold winter air away from your home. This is also a privacy measure that keeps prying eyes from peering inside while you’re away from home.
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- Schedule HVAC maintenance before you leave to ensure your system runs efficiently and is unlikely to suffer from any trouble while you’re away.