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

If you’re getting ready to go on vacation, your mind might lean toward packing your suitcase and ensuring all your travel arrangements are in order. But remember to prepare the house for your departure as well. 

One common question people have is this: What adjust my thermostat to while I’m on vacation? Your hope might be to save money, but try and avoid completely turning off your HVAC system. The furnace or AC unit needs to run a little to minimize severe heat or cold, depending on the season. Here’s what you should learn about setting your thermostat when you are gone on vacation. 

Adjusting the Thermostat for a Summer Vacation 

If you’re on vacation at the pinnacle of summer, you should expect the temperature inside your house to increase as it gets hotter and hotter outside each day. Without air conditioning, the temperature can rapidly exceed 90 degrees inside—not exciting news if you’re worried about fragile possessions. 

A good guideline is to raise the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees higher than you normally do during the day without going over 85 degrees. This is the perfect 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 regular schedule at the next programmed time. So you have to use the “permanent” or “vacation” hold setting when going out of town to make sure your preferred temperature sticks. 

Adjusting the Thermostat for a Winter Vacation 

To identify the best thermostat setting when taking a trip in the winter, use the same method suggested above, but backward—that is, change the temperature 5 to 10 degrees lower than you generally do during the day without slipping lower than 60 degrees. 

The most significant reason to heat your home while you’re on vacation is to minimize the risk of frozen pipes. Any plumbing that runs alongside exterior walls and inside unfinished spaces is at risk. Maintaining the temperature at 60 degrees or warmer limits this risk. Another smart idea is to keep the cupboard doors open to help warm air circulate around the pipes underneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks. You may also want to shut off the water at the central shut-off valve to protect against a plumbing emergency while you’re away. 

Setting a Smart Thermostat Before Taking a Vacation 

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

For example, you can check in on the temperature remotely via your tablet or smartphone. Verify how regularly the AC or furnace has been active in your absence as it maintains the temperature you decided on before you left. If you’re unhappy with what you discover, you can adjust the thermostat from wherever with your internet-enabled device. You can even set a comfortable temperature that can resume when you’re about an hour away from home. 

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

Other Vacation Recommendations 

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

  • Remember any delicate paintings, electronics or houseplants that can be susceptible 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 home is comfortable enough for them. 
  • Close any window treatments to help keep the hot sun or cold winter air outside of your home. This also helps with privacy since it prevents prying eyes from peering inside while you’re away. 
  • Request HVAC maintenance before you head out to ensure your system operates properly and is unlikely to experience any problems while you’re away. 

Contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

Whether you want to ask thermostat-related questions or are hoping to request HVAC maintenance before your upcoming vacation, the HVAC pros at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to assist. We can recommend a new thermostat for your needs and even install it and show you how it works. Our services include all your HVAC goals, from maintenance and repair to installation and replacement. Contact us today to share questions or request a visit from one of our experienced heating and cooling technicians.