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

If you’re preparing to take a vacation, your thoughts might go toward packing your suitcase and ensuring all travel arrangements are ready to go. But don’t forget to prepare the house for you being gone as well. 

One frequent question people ask is this: What adjust my thermostat to while I’m gone? Your plan might be to conserve energy, but don’t be tempted to completely turn off your HVAC system. The furnace or AC system needs to run a little to minimize extreme heat or cold, depending on the season. Here’s what you should know about setting your thermostat when you leave for vacation. 

Setting the Thermostat for a Summer Vacation 

If you’re on vacation at the pinnacle of summer, you can 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 exciting news if you’re worried about fragile items. 

A good rule of thumb is to raise the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees higher than you ordinarily do throughout the day without reaching above 85 degrees. This is a great compromise between conserving energy and protecting the interior of your home. 

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

Adjusting the Thermostat for a Winter Vacation 

To decide the perfect thermostat setting when on vacation in the winter, implement the same method suggested above, but in the opposite direction—that is, adjust’ the temperature 5 to 10 degrees colder than you usually do over the course of the day without dropping lower than 60 degrees. 

The most important reason to keep your home warm while you’re away is to prevent frozen pipes. Any plumbing that runs alongside exterior walls and through unconditioned spaces is the most at risk. Holding the temperature at 60 degrees or warmer limits this risk. Another good idea is to have the cupboard doors open to help warm air flow around the pipes under your kitchen and bathroom sinks. You may also want to shut off the water at the central shut-off valve to avoid a plumbing emergency while you’re away. 

Preparing 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 offer outstanding benefits, both while you’re at home and on vacation. 

As an example, you can check in on the temperature remotely with your tablet or smartphone. Determine how regularly the AC or furnace has been running in your absence as it holds the temperature you set before you left. If you’re concerned with what you see, you can adjust the thermostat from wherever via your internet-enabled device. You can even set a comfortable temperature to resume when you’re close to an hour away from home. 

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

Other Vacation Recommendations 

Keep these things in mind to ensure your home is good to go before departing on your trip: 

  • Don’t forget about any delicate paintings, electronics or houseplants that may be susceptible to extreme temperatures. 
  • If you’re leaving pets at home or have planned to have a house sitter visit, you will want to leave the temperature closer 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 stops prying eyes from peering inside while you’re away from home. 
  • Arrange for HVAC maintenance before you go to ensure your system operates correctly and is unlikely to encounter any problems while you’re away. 

Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

Whether you need to address thermostat-related questions or are looking to request HVAC maintenance before your next vacation, the HVAC pros 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 demonstrate how to make the most of its features. Our services cover all your HVAC preferences, from maintenance and repair to installation and replacement. Call us today to share questions or request a visit from one of our qualified heating and cooling technicians.