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What Should I Set My Thermostat to When I’m on Vacation? 

If you’re planning to take a vacation, your feelings might go toward packing your suitcase and seeing to it that any travel arrangements are in order. But you’ll also want to prepare the house for you being gone as well. 

One typical question people ask is this: What will I need to]] set my thermostat to while on vacation? Your hope will often be to reduce costs, but you’ll still want to avoid turning off your HVAC system. The furnace or air conditioner needs to run a little to minimize extreme heat or cold, depending on the season. Here’s what you should learn about setting your thermostat when you leave on vacation. 

Adjusting the Thermostat for a Summer Vacation 

If you’re on vacation at the peak of summer, you can expect the temperature inside your house to rise as it gets hotter and hotter outside each day. With no air conditioning at all, the temperature may rapidly exceed 90 degrees inside—not good news if you’re concerned about sensitive possessions. 

A good suggestion is to raise the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees higher than you normally do throughout the day without going over 85 degrees. This is a good compromise between reducing energy and protecting your home’s interior. 

If you prefer a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat, don’t forget that a “temporary” hold should return to your typical schedule at the next programmed time. So you should use the “permanent” or “vacation” hold setting when you’re on vacation to ensure your chosen temperature sticks. 

Adjusting the Thermostat for a Winter Vacation 

To figure out the best thermostat setting when taking a trip in the winter, use the same means recommended above, but backward—that is, set the temperature 5 to 10 degrees colder than you generally do over the course of the day without falling below 60 degrees. 

The biggest reason to heat your home while you’re away is to avoid frozen pipes. The plumbing that runs against exterior walls and through unheated spaces is at risk. Keeping the temperature at 60 degrees or up limits this risk. Another great idea is to leave the cupboard doors open to help warm air move around the pipes beneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks. You might also want to shut off the water at the central shut-off valve to prevent a plumbing disaster while you’re gone. 

Preparing a Smart Thermostat Before Taking a Vacation 

If you don’t already have a Wi-Fi or “smart” thermostat, this may be an ideal time to upgrade. The latest upgrades in thermostat technology offer excellent benefits, both while you’re at home and away. 

For instance, you can check on the temperature remotely via your tablet or smartphone. Figure out how frequently the AC or furnace has been turning on in your absence as it maintains the temperature you chose before you left. If you’re unhappy with what you discover, you can adjust the thermostat from wherever using 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 better peace of mind, Wi-Fi thermostats warn you of unexpected environmental variations, like a higher-than-expected temperature or increased moisture while you’re out of the house. 

Additional Vacation Recommendations 

Keep these components in mind to see to it that your home is good to go before departing on your trip: 

  • Don’t forget about any delicate paintings, electronics or houseplants that could be vulnerable to hot or cold temperatures. 
  • If you’re leaving pets at home or have decided to have a house sitter stop by, you will want to leave the temperature close to normal—such as 80 degrees in the summer and 65 degrees in the winter—so the conditions are comfortable enough for them. 
  • Shut the blinds and curtains to help keep the hot sun or cold winter air away from your home. This is also a good idea if you want privacy because it prevents prying eyes from looking inside while you’re absent. 
  • Request HVAC maintenance before you go to make sure your system works correctly and is unlikely to suffer from any issues while you’re out of town. 

Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

Whether you have thermostat-related questions or are wanting to schedule HVAC maintenance before your upcoming vacation, the HVAC experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to support you. We can recommend a new thermostat for your needs and even install it and show you 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 share questions or request a visit from one of our qualified heating and cooling technicians. 

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