What To Set Thermostat In Winter When Away

Okay, picture this: you're packing your bags, visions of sunny beaches or snowy mountains dancing in your head. Vacation time! But wait... a tiny, nagging thought creeps in. The thermostat. What to DO with the thermostat?

The Great Thermostat Debate: Leaving It Behind

Fear not, intrepid traveler! We're here to navigate the wild world of winter thermostat settings while you're off living your best life. Forget those complicated scientific formulas and energy-efficiency jargon. We're going for simple, practical, and maybe just a little bit… amusing.

The Deep Freeze Fiasco (and Why to Avoid It)

First, let's address the elephant in the room: turning the thermostat completely off. Sounds tempting, right? Save alllll the energy! But hold your horses. Think of your pipes! In the icy grip of winter, they could freeze, burst, and turn your triumphant return into a soggy nightmare. Imagine wading through an indoor pool that used to be your living room! Nobody wants that.

Plus, a house that’s been allowed to plummet to sub-arctic temperatures takes forever to warm up. You'll be shivering in your coat for days, feeling like you accidentally wandered into a polar expedition instead of your cozy home. So, complete shutdown? Generally, a big no-no.

The Balmy Beach House Blunder (and Wasted Money)

On the other end of the spectrum, there's the "treat my house like I'm still here" approach. Cranking up the heat to a toasty 72 degrees while you're sunbathing in the Caribbean? That’s like throwing dollar bills into a roaring fireplace! Your furnace will be working overtime to keep an empty house comfortable, and your energy bill will resemble the national debt. Ouch.

The Goldilocks Zone: Just Right for Winter Away

So, what's the sweet spot? What's the "just right" temperature that keeps your pipes happy and your wallet content? The general consensus lands somewhere in the 55-60 degree Fahrenheit (13-16 degrees Celsius) range. Think of it as giving your house a light sweater – enough to ward off the chill, but not enough to break the bank.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: "But what if there’s a sudden cold snap?" Good question! That's where a programmable or smart thermostat comes in handy. These little gadgets let you adjust the temperature remotely. If you hear that a polar vortex is headed your way, you can bump up the heat from your phone while sipping a margarita on the beach. Technology! It’s magical!

Extra Credit: A Few Tips for the Discerning Home-Leaver

Want to go the extra mile in winterization preparedness? Here are a few bonus tips:

• Insulate exposed pipes: Especially those in unheated areas like basements or crawl spaces. Think of it as wrapping them in tiny, cozy blankets.
• Open cabinet doors: Under sinks, especially. This allows warmer air to circulate around the pipes. It's like giving them a little air hug.
• Ask a neighbor to check in: A friendly face can spot any potential problems before they become full-blown emergencies. Plus, they can bring in your mail so it doesn’t look like you are away.
• Consider a smart thermostat: As mentioned, these offer remote control and monitoring. It’s like having a tiny, thermostat-obsessed assistant who lives in your phone.

Leaving your house for an extended period can be daunting. You want to have it all covered so your return is smooth. The most common issues come from heat loss during the Winter months. Having your house prepared to mitigate those issues is the goal.

The Return: A Warm Welcome (Literally)

And finally, the best part: coming home! Imagine stepping through the door to a house that's comfortably warm, dry, and completely free of frozen pipe-induced mayhem. You did it! You conquered the thermostat dilemma and can now relax and bask in the glow of your successful vacation (and your functional heating system!). So go forth, explore the world, and leave your thermostat worries behind! You deserve it!