If you’re planning to leave for vacation, your feelings might drift to packing your suitcase and seeing to it that any travel arrangements are ready to go. But don’t forget to prepare the house for you being gone as well.
One typical question people share is this: What can I adjust my thermostat to while I'm gone? Your hope might be to save money, but don’t be tempted to completely turn off your HVAC system. The furnace or AC system should still run a little to prevent excessive heat or cold, depending on the season. Here’s what you have to know about setting your thermostat when you are gone on vacation.
Setting 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 increase as it gets hotter and hotter outside each day. Without air conditioning, the temperature can quickly exceed 90 degrees inside—not exciting news if you’re concerned about delicate items.
A good suggestion is to increase the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees warmer than you normally do during the day without reaching above 85 degrees. This is the perfect compromise between saving energy and protecting everything inside your home.
If you have a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat, keep in mind that a “temporary” hold is supposed to return to your standard schedule at the next programmed time. So you need to use the “permanent” or “vacation” hold setting when you're on vacation to ensure your desired temperature sticks.
Adjusting the Thermostat for a Winter Vacation
To identify the perfect thermostat setting when on vacation in the winter, follow the same means recommended above, but in the opposite direction—that is, set the temperature 5 to 10 degrees cooler than you usually do during the day without dropping below 60 degrees.
The most significant reason to heat your home while you’re away is to prevent frozen pipes. Your plumbing that runs against exterior walls and through unfinished spaces is at risk. Maintaining the temperature at 60 degrees or higher reduces this risk. Another great idea is to keep the cupboard doors open to help warm air circulate around the pipes underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks. You will also want to turn off the water at the central shut-off valve to avoid a plumbing emergency while you’re away on vacation.
Preparing a Smart Thermostat Before Going on Vacation
If you don’t already own a Wi-Fi or “smart” thermostat, this could be a great time to upgrade. The latest improvements in thermostat technology offer fantastic benefits, both while you’re at home and away.
As an example, you can check on the temperature remotely using your tablet or smartphone. Verify how often the AC or furnace has been active in your absence as it maintains the temperature you chose before you left. If you’re unsatisfied with what you discover, you can control the thermostat from wherever with your internet-enabled device. You can even set a comfortable temperature that can resume when you’re close to an hour away from home.
For even greater peace of mind, Wi-Fi thermostats alert you of sudden environmental variations, like a higher-than-expected temperature or excessive moisture while you’re out of the house.
More Vacation Recommendations
Keep these components in mind to see to it that your home is good to go before departing on your trip:
- Remember any delicate paintings, electronics or houseplants that may be vulnerable to high or low temperatures.
- If you’re leaving pets at home or have decided to have a house sitter come by, you will want to leave the temperature about normal—such as 80 degrees in the summer and 65 degrees in the winter—so the environment is comfortable enough for them.
- Close the blinds and curtains to help keep the hot sun or cold winter air out of your home. This also helps with privacy since it stops prying eyes from peering inside while you’re absent.
- Schedule HVAC maintenance before you head out to make sure your system operates efficiently and is unlikely to encounter any issues while you’re away.
Call Falso Service Experts
Whether you want to ask thermostat-related questions or are wanting to schedule HVAC maintenance before your upcoming vacation, the HVAC pros at Falso Service Experts are here to assist. We can suggest a new thermostat for your needs and even install it and demonstrate how to make the most of its features. Our services encompass all your HVAC preferences, from maintenance and repair to installation and replacement. Get in touch with us today to raise questions or schedule a visit from one of our certified heating and cooling technicians.