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

If you’re getting ready to leave for vacation, your mind might drift to packing your suitcase and making sure all your travel arrangements are in order. But don’t forget to prepare the house for your time away as well. 

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

Adjusting the Thermostat for a Summer Vacation 

If you’re on vacation at the pinnacle of summer, you can generally expect the temperature inside your house to rise as it gets hotter outside each day. If you don’t have air conditioning, the temperature may rapidly top 90 degrees inside—not happy news if you’re worried about sensitive possessions. 

A good guideline is to increase the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees higher than you ordinarily do throughout the day without reaching above 85 degrees. This is a good compromise between saving energy and protecting your home’s interior. 

If you prefer a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat, keep in mind that a “temporary” hold is supposed to continue your standard schedule at the next programmed time. So you should try 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 ideal thermostat setting when traveling in the winter, use the same means recommended above, but in the opposite direction—that is, change the temperature 5 to 10 degrees lower than you generally do throughout the day without slipping under 60 degrees. 

The most significant reason to heat your home while you’re away is to prevent frozen pipes. Your plumbing that runs against exterior walls and through unfinished spaces is the most at risk. Maintaining the temperature at 60 degrees or warmer limits this risk. Another great idea is to have the cupboard doors open to help warm air circulate around the pipes beneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks. You may also want to turn off the water at the primary shut-off valve to protect against a plumbing crisis while you’re away on vacation. 

Setting a Smart Thermostat Before Taking a Vacation 

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

As an example, you can follow up on the temperature remotely via your tablet or smartphone. Determine how regularly the AC or furnace has been turning on in your absence as it holds the temperature you chose before you left. If you’re not happy with what you see, 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 close to an hour away from home. 

For even better peace of mind, Wi-Fi thermostats alert you of unforeseen environmental variations, like a higher-than-expected temperature or increased moisture while you’re gone. 

More Vacation Recommendations 

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

• Consider any delicate paintings, electronics or houseplants that may be vulnerable to high or low temperatures. 
• If you’re leaving pets at home or have arranged to have a house sitter stop by, you may want to leave the temperature closer to normal—such as 80 degrees in the summer and 65 degrees in the winter—so the environment is comfortable enough for them. 
• Close the blinds and curtains to help keep the hot sun or cold winter air away from your home. This is also a privacy measure that stops prying eyes from looking inside while you’re gone. 
• Request HVAC maintenance before you go to ensure your system runs efficiently and is unlikely to encounter any problems while you’re away. 

Contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 

Whether you want to ask thermostat-related questions or are hoping to schedule HVAC maintenance before your tropical vacation, the HVAC professionals at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning are here to assist. 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 cover all your HVAC requirements, from maintenance and repair to installation and replacement. Get in touch with us today to raise questions or schedule a visit from one of our qualified heating and cooling technicians.