If you’re getting ready to go on vacation, your mind might lean toward packing your suitcase and ensuring any travel arrangements are in place. But you'll also want to prepare the house for your time away as well.
One typical question people share is this: What ] adjust my thermostat to while I'm on vacation? Your goal might be to conserve energy, but try and avoid completely turning off your HVAC system. The furnace or AC unit should still run a little to prevent excessive heat or cold, depending on the season. Here’s what you need to know about setting your thermostat when you leave on vacation.
Adjusting the Thermostat for a Summer Vacation
If you’re taking a trip at the height of summer, you can generally expect the temperature inside your house to go up as it gets warmer outside each day. Without air conditioning, the temperature can quickly exceed 90 degrees inside—not exciting news if you’re worried about fragile items.
A good guideline is to increase the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees warmer than you typically do over the course of the day without reaching above 85 degrees. This is the perfect compromise between saving energy and protecting everything inside your home.
If you own a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat, keep in mind that a “temporary” hold is supposed to continue your typical schedule at the next programmed time. So you should try the “permanent” or “vacation” hold setting when going on vacation to make sure your preferred temperature sticks.
Adjusting the Thermostat for a Winter Vacation
To figure out the best thermostat setting when traveling in the winter, implement the same method recommended above, but in the opposite direction—that is, set the temperature 5 to 10 degrees colder than you usually do over the course of the day without falling under 60 degrees.
The biggest reason to heat your home while you’re away is to minimize the risk of frozen pipes. Any plumbing that runs alongside exterior walls and inside unfinished spaces is at risk. Holding the temperature at 60 degrees or higher limits this risk. Another smart idea is to have the cupboard doors open to help warm air move around the pipes beneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks. You will also want to shut off the water at the main shut-off valve to avoid a plumbing emergency while you’re away.
Adjusting a Smart Thermostat Before Taking a Vacation
If you don’t already have a Wi-Fi or “smart” thermostat, this can be an ideal time to upgrade. The latest advancements in thermostat technology offer outstanding benefits, both while you’re at home and away.
For example, you can follow up on the temperature remotely with your tablet or smartphone. Find out how often the AC or furnace has been running in your absence as it holds the temperature you set before you left. If you’re unsatisfied with what you discover, you can control the thermostat from anywhere with your internet-enabled device. You can even set a comfortable temperature to resume when you’re close to an hour away from home.
For even greater peace of mind, Wi-Fi thermostats alert you of unexpected environmental changes, like a higher-than-expected temperature or increased moisture while you’re out of the house.
Other Vacation Recommendations
Keep these components in mind to make sure your home is good to go before leaving on your trip:
- Consider any delicate paintings, electronics or houseplants that are sensitive to extreme temperatures.
- If you’re leaving pets at home or have arranged to have a house sitter visit, you may want to leave the temperature closer to normal—such as 80 degrees in the summer and 65 degrees in the winter—so the conditions are comfortable enough for them.
- Shut your blinds and drapes to help keep the hot sun or cold winter air out of your home. This is also a good idea if you want privacy because it stops prying eyes from peering inside while you’re away from home.
- schedule HVAC maintenance before you leave to make sure your system works efficiently and is unlikely to encounter any problems while you’re away.
Contact Service Experts
Whether you want to ask thermostat-related questions or are hoping to schedule HVAC maintenance before your upcoming vacation, the HVAC professionals at Service Experts are here to help. We can suggest a new thermostat for your needs and even install it and teach you how to make the most of its features. Our services encompass all your HVAC needs, from maintenance and repair to installation and replacement. Contact us today to share questions or schedule a visit from one of our certified heating and cooling technicians.
