During this busy time of year, many homeowners have vacations on the calendar. Among your concerns, your home’s heating system may not be a priority. However, you should give the system some thought before you leave. You may think that you should turn the heating off to both save money and preserve your furnace.
However, think carefully before you simply turn the heating system off before you leave. You could do more harm than good. Here are some considerations about heating your home while you are on vacation this winter.
Why Should You Leave the Heating System On?
While you may think you can save some money by turning the heating system off while you are away, doing so could cost you significantly. In the cold Minnesota temperatures, your home’s pipes can quickly freeze when you leave your home’s heating system off for a prolonged time. A home’s plumbing is safe from freezing thanks to the warm air in your home.
If you turn the heating system off, the pipes will freeze, expand, and likely burst under pressure. If the pipes thaw while you are away, you can come home to a flooded mess in your home. Whether the pipes thaw or not, you still have to deal with a repair.
The thought of this disaster happening can deter you from wanting to save a few dollars on your heating costs by turning off the heat while you are away.
In addition, you should always leave your heating system on if you have pets in the home. No matter if you have a dog, cat, or even a fish, you need to leave the heating on to ensure the pets are safe and comfortable.
What Temperature Should You Leave the Thermostat?
You have to decide what the ideal tempertature is for your home while you are on vacation. A good rule of thumb is to set the heat at no lower than 50 to 55 degrees. You may even want to set the thermostat higher if you want your home to be comfortable when you return.
If you have pets in the home while you are away, you need to set it higher. A good suggestion is to turn the heat down no more than a few degrees than you would if you were at home. If you typically leave your thermostat at 72 during the day when you are home, do not set it too much lower than that to ensure your pets are safe while you are on your vacation.
Would a Programmable Thermostat Help?
If you do not have a programmable thermostat, consider installing one before you leave on your vacation. A programmable thermostat allows you to schedule your thermostat settings at your desired temperatures at any time of day.
To make the process even easier, you can also install a thermostat with Wi-Fi capability. You can attach the thermostat to your home’s network and control the thermostat from your smart device. If there are any major weather swings and you want to turn the heating system up while you are away, you simply have to log in and make the adjustments.
Should You Have Your Heating System Checked?
If you have time, consider an inspection of your heating system. You do not want something to happen to your heat while you are away. This could lead to a disaster in many ways. Instead, plan ahead and schedule a quick inspection prior to your vacation to make sure everything is working as it should.
Your home’s heating system is vital, especially in cold Minnesota winters. Please contact us at Apollo Heating & Air Conditioning if you need assistance with your HVAC.
