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

If you’re preparing to leave for vacation, your thoughts might focus on packing your suitcase and seeing to it that all travel arrangements are in place. But remember to prepare the house for your time away as well. 

One common question people have is this: What can I my thermostat to while on vacation? Your plan may be to reduce costs, but try and avoid completely turning off your HVAC system. The furnace or air conditioner needs to run a little to avoid severe heat or cold, depending on the season. Here’s what you should consider about setting your thermostat when you leave for vacation. 

Setting the Thermostat for a Summer Vacation 

If you’re traveling at the peak of summer, you can expect the temperature inside your house to increase as it gets warmer outside each day. If you don’t have air conditioning, the temperature can quickly surpass 90 degrees inside—not exciting news if you’re concerned about delicate possessions. 

A good rule of thumb is to increase the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees higher than you usually do during the day without exceeding 85 degrees. This is a good compromise between reducing energy and protecting the interior of your home. 

If you have a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat, remember that a “temporary” hold should resume your regular schedule at the next programmed time. So you need to try the “permanent” or “vacation” hold setting when you’re on vacation to ensure your chosen temperature sticks. 

Setting the Thermostat for a Winter Vacation 

To determine the best thermostat setting when on vacation in the winter, implement the same means recommended above, but in the opposite direction—that is, adjust’ the temperature 5 to 10 degrees lower than you normally do over the course of the day without falling lower than 60 degrees. 

The biggest reason to heat your home while you’re on vacation is to avoid frozen pipes. Your plumbing that runs along exterior walls and inside unconditioned spaces is exposed to freezing. Holding the temperature at 60 degrees or warmer reduces this risk. Another good idea is to keep the cupboard doors open to help warm air flow 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 emergency while you’re away. 

Preparing a Smart Thermostat Before Leaving for Vacation 

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

For instance, you can check on the temperature remotely with your tablet or smartphone. Determine how frequently the AC or furnace has been turning on in your absence as it maintains the temperature you set before you left. If you’re not happy with what you find, you can adjust the thermostat from wherever via your internet-enabled device. You can even set a comfortable temperature to resume when you’re under an hour away from home. 

For even more peace of mind, Wi-Fi thermostats alert you of sudden environmental changes, including a higher-than-expected temperature or increased moisture while you’re out of the house. 

Additional Vacation Recommendations 

Keep these factors in mind to ensure your home is good to go before departing on your trip: 

• Consider any delicate paintings, electronics or houseplants that could be vulnerable to hot or cold temperatures. 
• If you’re leaving pets at home or have arranged to have a house sitter stop by, you might 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. 
• Shut the blinds and curtains to help keep the hot sun or cold winter air out of your home. This is also a privacy measure that prevents prying eyes from looking inside while you’re away. 
• Schedule HVAC maintenance before you leave to ensure your system operates properly and is unlikely to encounter any problems while you’re gone. 

Call Winnipeg Supply Service Experts 

Whether you have thermostat-related questions or are wanting to schedule HVAC maintenance before your upcoming vacation, the HVAC experts at Winnipeg Supply Service Experts are here to support you. We can suggest a new thermostat for your needs and even install it and teach you how it works. Our services include all your HVAC goals, from maintenance and repair to installation and replacement. Contact us today to raise questions or set up a visit from one of our certified heating and cooling technicians.