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

If you’re planning to take a vacation, your feelings might drift to packing your suitcase and ensuring all your travel arrangements are in place. But remember to prepare the house for your time away as well. 

One typical question people share is this: What should I my thermostat to while I’m on vacation? Your intention might be to conserve energy, but try and avoid completely turning off your HVAC system. The furnace or air conditioner should still run a little to prevent extreme heat or cold, depending on the season. Here’s what you should learn about setting your thermostat when you leave on vacation. 

Adjusting the Thermostat for a Summer Vacation 

If you’re traveling at the pinnacle of summer, you can expect the temperature inside your house to rise as it gets hotter outside each day. With no air conditioning at all, the temperature could easily top 90 degrees inside—not good news if you’re stressed about fragile belongings. 

A good rule of thumb is to raise the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees warmer than you usually do over the course of the day without going over 85 degrees. This is the perfect compromise between saving energy and protecting your home’s interior. 

If you own a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat, remember that a “temporary” hold should continue your regular schedule at the next programmed time. So you need to try the “permanent” or “vacation” hold setting when going out of town to ensure your desired temperature sticks. 

Adjusting the Thermostat for a Winter Vacation 

To determine the perfect thermostat setting when taking a trip in the winter, follow the same technique proposed above, but in the opposite direction—that is, adjust’ the temperature 5 to 10 degrees colder than you normally do during the day without dropping lower than 60 degrees. 

The biggest reason to heat your home while you’re on vacation is to minimize the risk of frozen pipes. The plumbing that runs near exterior walls and through unconditioned spaces is exposed to freezing. Maintaining the temperature at 60 degrees or higher lowers this risk. Another wise idea is to have the cupboard doors open to help warm air move around the pipes underneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks. You will also want to shut off the water at the main shut-off valve to prevent a plumbing emergency while you’re away on vacation. 

Adjusting a Smart Thermostat Before Going on Vacation 

If you don’t already use a Wi-Fi or “smart” thermostat, this may be an ideal time to upgrade. The latest innovations in thermostat technologies feature excellent benefits, both while you’re at home and on a trip. 

As an example, you can follow up on the temperature remotely using your tablet or smartphone. Determine how frequently the AC or furnace has been turning on in your absence as it holds the temperature you set before you left. If you’re not happy with what you find, you can control the thermostat from anyplace using your internet-enabled device. You can even set a comfortable temperature that will resume when you’re just about an hour away from home. 

For even more peace of mind, Wi-Fi thermostats warn you of sudden environmental changes, such as a higher-than-expected temperature or excess moisture while you’re gone. 

Other Vacation Recommendations 

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

• Remember any delicate paintings, electronics or houseplants that may be susceptible to extreme temperatures. 
• If you’re leaving pets at home or have decided to have a house sitter stop by, you will want to leave the temperature close to normal—such as 80 degrees in the summer and 65 degrees in the winter—so the environment is comfortable enough for them. 
• Shut your blinds and drapes to help keep the hot sun or cold winter air away from your home. This also helps with privacy since it stops prying eyes from taking a look inside while you’re absent. 
• Arrange for HVAC maintenance before you head out to make sure your system operates efficiently and is unlikely to encounter any trouble while you’re gone. 

Call Rob's Albertan Service Experts 

Whether you want to ask thermostat-related questions or are wanting to request HVAC maintenance before your next vacation, the HVAC professionals at Rob's Albertan Service Experts are here to help. We can suggest a new thermostat for your needs and even install it and show you how to use it. Our services include all your HVAC goals, from maintenance and repair to installation and replacement. Get in touch with us today to raise questions or request a visit from one of our certified heating and cooling technicians.