What Temperature to Leave a Vacant House: Tips For Home Safety
You might be thinking about turning off your cooling or heating system in your home for some time. There are many reasons for it and you probably have many more questions regarding it.
Before you take any step you should know what temperature to leave a vacant house for winter, summer, or any other season. Professionals recommend leaving an unoccupied house in a setting of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This range is almost ideal for less heating costs. You can avoid potential damages to your property like frozen or burst pipes.
Let’s discuss factors that affect the atmosphere, what is ideal for winter and summer in detail, and thermostat settings.
Factors That Affect the Ideal Temperature for a Vacant House
When you think of what condition to leave a vacant house in, you also think about the heat settings of the home. Having the right cooling and heat settings can make all the difference in avoiding hazardous damage and saving energy costs.
As we know not all accommodations are built the same. So, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. There are several factors that you need to address before you can set a proper environment and go on that vacation without worrying.
It’s important to consider the home location, insulation level, plumbing, its condition and kind of heating and cooling system, duration of unoccupied period, and desired level of comfort for the homeowner’s return.
Location:
One of the most important elements when calculating the ideal condition for your home is the location. The climate of the area that you live in, determines the ideal heat for your residence. In locations like Canada and the North of the USA, heating levels are often low. The climate of the house needs to be maintained above freezing point.
However, if you live in a warmer climate, the heating system can be set to a lower degree. This will also help in saving air conditioning costs. Another thing to consider is what season you will be leaving your home vacant. If it is vacant during summer the atmosphere will be different. If you leave a higher degree you can prevent your living space from getting too hot and humid, which can lead to mold growth.
Insulation:
The insulation of the home is an important wave to keep in mind. The type of insulation you have installed can affect the conditions of your lodging. A very well-insulated house can maintain warmth for a longer time.
While on the other hand if the house is not well insulated, then there is a possibility that your pipes might freeze if, you don’t set the temperature higher.
Plumbing:
The plumbing system of your residence must be taken into account when choosing the right cooling or heating system for a vacant home. As we know if the level of the warmness in the house drops, the water in the pipes will freeze. Which causes the pipes to expand and burst. This can further cause severe damage to the property.
To avoid this mishap the owners should set the thermostat in such a way that it is high enough to prevent the pipes from freezing and low enough to save energy costs. The ideal range is between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
What Temperatures to Leave a Vacant House in Winter
When selecting a heating system for an empty home, it is essential to consider the plumbing system. If the temperature is under 5° C, the fluid in the pipes can freeze, leading to a burst and resulting in flooding of your accommodation area, which will slowly but surely ruin all your floors and furniture.
To stop this from happening, it is important to set the thermostat to a degree that is high enough to keep the pipes from freezing, yet low enough to save energy. By doing this, homeowners can protect their homes from potential damage while also being mindful of their energy consumption.
The recommended thermostat settings for winter are 55 degrees to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If the area you live in doesn’t get too cold, you can set it at 45 degrees as well without worrying.
Whenever you leave your house vacant for a few days keep these tips in mind on what degree to leave a vacant house. Turn off the water supply of the house and drain all the pipes till there is no water left in the pipes of your home. Turn off all the appliances, lamps, gaming consoles, and TVs, empty out the leftovers in your fridge, and throw out all the trash in the cans outside so you can prevent raccoons from coming and spoiling your house while you are away.
What Temperature to Leave a Vacant House in Summer
When going on a summer vacation, the last thing you want to do is worry about your home. Check the weather for high humidity or heat waves before leaving. Weather forecasts can help you assess the weather for the coming days and you can plan accordingly.
The experts have analyzed these situations very closely. They have recommended setting the thermostat above 85°F in summer. This will protect your belongings from rotting and reduce humidity. Also, it will save from the risk of mold growth due to humidity.
Recommended Thermostat Settings For the Summer
In summer you want to be comfortable and cozy. But you also worry about the energy bills. The ideal range for your home in summer is around 78°F.
Experts also recommend turning your heating system up or leaving it off completely if you’re out of the home or sleeping. Some people try to cool the house as quickly as possible, which is completely wrong and can be hazardous. Make sure your air filters are replaced after every 6 months.
Recommended Thermostat Settings For the Winter
The ideal setting of a thermostat in winter can cause a battle inside your home. To keep your family warm in colder weather you need to prepare for higher energy costs. If you use a recommended setting by experts that are weather appropriate then the wars between you and energy-saving costs can end.
The average recommended house temperature in winter is around 68° for your comfort. But if you’re sleeping or out of the house. Then you should lower the level of your thermostat to 60° or less, just lowering the number of degrees while you’re away or sleeping can save you up to 10% a year in heating costs.
What Happens if I Don’t Set the Proper Temperature When Leaving Home?
When you leave the house you have to make sure that the temperature is set properly at the recommended degrees. If the degree level is set to a low setting for the winter, the water in the pipes will freeze and the pipes will burst. This will cause potential flooding in the house and extreme damage to the property.
During summer, if your home is too hot, you’ll end up with expensive energy bills. High heat can also cause excess humidity inside your house. This can lead to the growth of mold, which is sometimes called the silent killer.
It’s not recommended to leave your home temperature unattended for long periods in winter or summer. In winter the ideal temperature is 55 to 60°F. This will keep your house from any damage and high energy bills. Similarly, in summer you will set the temperature between 70 to 80° F.
Tips for Maintaining the Recommended Temperature Range
To make sure your house stays the right temperature in winter, get a thermostat that you can program. A programmable thermostat lets you set the temperature for different times of the day. You don’t need to keep the house warm at all times. A programmable thermostat is a real deal when it comes to saving energy costs all around the year. You can program the thermostat to lower the temperature while you are sleeping or out of the house.
Seal all the drafts, drafts are little spaces or cracks that let the cold or warm air out of the house. The drafts can let in the cold air in winter and hot air flow in summer. If you seal all the drafts of your house you will feel a notable change. Drafts are usually found in doors, windows, air vents, and other areas stripped by the weather.
Insulation of your rooms is the most important part. Good insulation will keep your living space warm in winter and cold in summer. Insulation creates a barrier between your home and the outdoors. Try insulating your attic, floors, and walls and save money on energy consumption.
Ceiling fans are a great way to keep your home airy throughout the summer. Ceiling fans help spread the air flow throughout the living and keep you from feeling warm. A little tip for winters is that, if you set your fan to rotate clockwise it will push the warm air downwards.
You can also keep your home warm in winter by closing the curtains and blinds. Closing the blinds in summer will prevent direct sun heat from getting into your home and making it warm.
Conclusion
To make sure that the efficiency and security of your home are super, it is very important to know how to maintain a proper temperature in the home. Setting the temperature of your home is one of the most important responsibilities, that come with becoming a homeowner. This is the basic knowledge every homeowner should know all the time. To avoid mold and humidity, it’s best to keep the temperature between 55-60°F in winter, and around 85°F in summer.
Before leaving your home vacant, the owners should shut down the water supply of the house, and energy supply to electronics that won’t be used while they’re out, and clear out all the trash. Homeowners who stick to these suggestions can safeguard their accommodation from harm and be energy efficient at the same time.
FAQs
Can I turn off the heat completely when I’m not home?
When you’re not at home, especially during the winter, you should not completely turn off the heat. If you do the temperature of your living area may drop to a low temperature, which can result in frozen pipes and other problems. It is advised to set your thermostat to a lower temperature, roughly 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit.
What temperature should I set my thermostat at if I’m going to be away for a short period?
If you’re spending a night or two out of your home, you can set the temperature a few degrees lower or higher depending on the weather outside. In winter you can set your thermostat to around 14 to 19°C, and in summer you can set it to 26-30°C. This will benefit your property and your pocket.
Can I use a smart thermostat to control the temperature of my vacant home?
Yes, you can use a smart thermostat to control the temperature of your residence. These thermostats can be programmed and scheduled on your desired preferences. There are some models of thermostats that can be controlled by your smartphone. This is a convenient and energy-saving solution to your problems.
Is it necessary to maintain the same temperature throughout the house when it’s vacant?
No, it is not necessary to maintain the same temperature throughout the living area when it’s vacant. Lowering the temperature will save your extra bucks. Keep unused rooms closed and adjust dampers to reduce the airflow. This will help you save money and energy, while barely compromising your comfort.
