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

If you’re preparing to take a vacation, your feelings might focus on packing your suitcase and ensuring all travel arrangements are in order. But you’ll also want to prepare the house for your departure as well. 

One typical question people have is this: What can I my thermostat to while on vacation? Your plan will often be to conserve energy, but try and avoid completely turning off your HVAC system. The furnace or AC system needs to run a little to prevent extreme heat or cold, depending on the season. Here’s what you need to know about setting your thermostat when you are gone on vacation. 

Setting the Thermostat for a Summer Vacation 

If you’re traveling at the pinnacle of summer, you can 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 could quickly surpass 90 degrees inside—not happy news if you’re concerned about delicate belongings. 

A good rule of thumb is to adjust the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees warmer than you ordinarily do throughout the day without reaching above 85 degrees. This is an ideal compromise between conserving energy and protecting everything inside your home. 

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

Setting the Thermostat for a Winter Vacation 

To determine the ideal thermostat setting when on vacation in the winter, use the same technique proposed above, but backward—that is, set the temperature 5 to 10 degrees cooler than you usually do during the day without slipping lower than 60 degrees. 

The most significant reason to continue heating your home while you’re out of town is to avoid frozen pipes. Your plumbing that runs alongside exterior walls and inside unfinished spaces is the most at risk. Maintaining the temperature at 60 degrees or warmer limits this risk. Another great idea is to keep the cupboard doors open to help warm air circulate around the pipes beneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks. You will also want to shut off the water at the primary shut-off valve to prevent a plumbing emergency while you’re away. 

Adjusting a Smart Thermostat Before Leaving for Vacation 

If you don’t already have a Wi-Fi or “smart” thermostat, this can be a great time to upgrade. The latest upgrades in thermostat systems provide outstanding benefits, both while you’re at home and on a trip. 

For instance, you can check 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 concerned with what you discover, you can change the thermostat from wherever via your internet-enabled device. You can even set a comfortable temperature that can resume when you’re under an hour away from home. 

For even better peace of mind, Wi-Fi thermostats warn you of sudden environmental changes, like a higher-than-expected temperature or increased moisture while you’re away from home. 

Other Vacation Recommendations 

Keep these factors in mind to make sure your home is good to go before going on your trip: 

  • Remember any delicate paintings, electronics or houseplants that may be sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. 
  • If you’re leaving pets at home or have decided to have a house sitter come by, you might want to leave the temperature closer 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 out of your home. This is also a privacy measure that stops prying eyes from taking a look inside while you’re away. 
  • Request HVAC maintenance before you head out to ensure your system works properly and is unlikely to encounter any problems while you’re out of town. 

Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

Whether you want to ask 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 teach you how it works. Our services include all your HVAC preferences, from maintenance and repair to installation and replacement. Get in touch with us today to share questions or schedule a visit from one of our qualified heating and cooling technicians.