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

If you’re planning to go on vacation, your thoughts might focus on packing your suitcase and making sure 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 can I my thermostat to while I’m gone? Your plan might be to save money, but you’ll still want to avoid turning off your HVAC system. The furnace or AC unit needs to run a little to minimize excessive heat or cold, depending on the season. Here’s what you need to consider about setting your thermostat when you leave for vacation. 

Setting the Thermostat for a Summer Vacation 

If you’re on vacation at the height of summer, you should expect the temperature inside your house to go up as it gets hotter and hotter outside each day. With no air conditioning at all, the temperature can easily surpass 90 degrees inside—not good news if you’re stressed about fragile items. 

A good suggestion is to raise the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees higher than you typically do during the day without going over 85 degrees. This is a good compromise between saving energy and protecting the interior of your home. 

If you have a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat, don’t forget that a “temporary” hold is supposed to resume your standard schedule at the next programmed time. So you have to select the “permanent” or “vacation” hold setting when going out of town to ensure your preferred temperature sticks. 

Setting the Thermostat for a Winter Vacation 

To figure out the best thermostat setting when taking a trip in the winter, use the same method proposed above, but in reverse—that is, set the temperature 5 to 10 degrees cooler than you normally do throughout the day without slipping under 60 degrees. 

The most significant reason to keep your home warm while you’re on vacation is to minimize the risk of frozen pipes. The plumbing that runs near exterior walls and in unheated spaces is the most at risk. Keeping the temperature at 60 degrees or higher decreases this risk. Another smart idea is to leave the cupboard doors open to help warm air move around the pipes under the kitchen and bathroom sinks. You might also want to shut off the water at the main shut-off valve to avoid a plumbing emergency while you’re gone. 

Setting a Smart Thermostat Before Going on Vacation 

If you don’t already use a Wi-Fi or “smart” thermostat, this could be an ideal time to upgrade. The latest enhancements in thermostat systems provide outstanding benefits, both while you’re at home and away. 

As an example, you can follow up on the temperature remotely using your tablet or smartphone. Figure out how frequently the AC or furnace has been turning on in your absence as it holds the temperature you decided on before you left. If you’re unhappy with what you find, you can change the thermostat from anywhere using your internet-enabled device. You can even set a comfortable temperature that will resume when you’re under an hour away from home. 

For even more peace of mind, Wi-Fi thermostats warn you of unexpected environmental shifts, including a higher-than-expected temperature or excessive moisture while you’re out of the house. 

More Vacation Recommendations 

Keep these things 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 sensitive to high or low temperatures. 
  • If you’re leaving pets at home or have planned to have a house sitter stop 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 home is 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 prevents prying eyes from looking inside while you’re absent. 
  • Schedule HVAC maintenance before you leave to make sure your system works properly and is unlikely to suffer from any issues while you’re away. 

Contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

Whether you need to address thermostat-related questions or are looking to arrange for HVAC maintenance before your upcoming vacation, the HVAC experts at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to support you. We can suggest a new thermostat for your needs and even install it and demonstrate how to use it. Our services cover all your HVAC goals, from maintenance and repair to installation and replacement. Get in touch with us today to share questions or set up a visit from one of our experienced heating and cooling technicians.