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

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

One frequent question people share is this: What should I my thermostat to while I’m gone? Your plan might be to reduce costs, but you’ll still want to avoid turning off your HVAC system. The furnace or AC unit needs to 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 leave for vacation. 

Setting the Thermostat for a Summer Vacation 

If you’re traveling at the peak of summer, you should expect the temperature inside your house to increase as it gets hotter and hotter outside each day. With no air conditioning at all, the temperature can rapidly exceed 90 degrees inside—not exciting news if you’re concerned about sensitive items. 

A good rule of thumb is to raise the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees warmer than you ordinarily do over the course of the day without exceeding 85 degrees. This is a great compromise between reducing energy and protecting everything inside your home. 

If you have a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat, keep in mind that a “temporary” hold will return to your regular schedule at the next programmed time. So you should select the “permanent” or “vacation” hold setting when going on vacation to make sure your chosen temperature sticks. 

Preparing the Thermostat for a Winter Vacation 

To identify the perfect thermostat setting when traveling in the winter, use the same means recommended above, but in reverse—that is, adjust’ the temperature 5 to 10 degrees lower than you normally do throughout the day without dropping under 60 degrees. 

The most important reason to heat your home while you’re on vacation is to avoid frozen pipes. Any plumbing that runs near exterior walls and inside unfinished spaces is the most at risk. Holding the temperature at 60 degrees or up limits this risk. Another wise idea is to leave the cupboard doors open to help warm air flow around the pipes underneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks. You might also want to turn off the water at the primary shut-off valve to protect against a plumbing disaster 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 could be a great time to upgrade. The latest upgrades in thermostat technologies provide fantastic benefits, both while you’re at home and on vacation. 

For instance, you can check on the temperature remotely via your tablet or smartphone. Determine how frequently the AC or furnace has been running in your absence as it maintains the temperature you set before you left. If you’re unsatisfied with what you discover, you can change the thermostat from wherever using 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 more peace of mind, Wi-Fi thermostats alert you of unexpected environmental shifts, including 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 going on your trip: 

• Don’t forget about any delicate paintings, electronics or houseplants that are vulnerable to hot or cold temperatures. 
• If you’re leaving pets at home or have planned to have a house sitter come by, you might want to leave the temperature close to normal—such as 80 degrees in the summer and 65 degrees in the winter—so the home is comfortable enough for them. 
• Shut any window treatments to help keep the hot sun or cold winter air away from your home. This also helps with privacy since it keeps prying eyes from taking a look inside while you’re absent. 
• Schedule HVAC maintenance before you leave to ensure your system operates efficiently and is unlikely to suffer from any problems while you’re away. 

Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

Whether you want to ask thermostat-related questions or are hoping to request HVAC maintenance before your upcoming vacation, the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to help. We can suggest a new thermostat for your needs and even install it and show you how to make the most of its features. Our services cover all your HVAC needs, from maintenance and repair to installation and replacement. Call us today to raise questions or schedule a visit from one of our certified heating and cooling technicians.