Keeping Your Home Warm While You’re Away on Winter Vacation
I remember coming home from a 10-day winter vacation to a house that felt like an icebox. The temperature had dropped to a frigid 45 degrees inside, and it took days for the house to warm up again. I learned my lesson the hard way: you need to keep your home warm while you’re away on vacation in winter.
Why It’s Important to Keep Your Home Warm in Winter
There are a few reasons why it’s important to keep your home warm in winter, even when you’re not there. First, cold temperatures can damage your home’s plumbing. If the pipes freeze, they can burst, causing extensive water damage. Second, cold temperatures can also damage your home’s foundation. When the ground freezes, it can cause the foundation to shift, which can lead to cracks in the walls and floors. Third, cold temperatures can make your home uncomfortable to come home to. If you arrive home to a cold house, you’ll be more likely to get sick.
How to Keep Your Home Warm While You’re Away
There are a few things you can do to keep your home warm while you’re away on vacation in winter. First, turn down the thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This will help to conserve energy and prevent your pipes from freezing. Second, close all of your windows and doors tightly. Third, insulate your home around the colder areas, such as windows, pipes, and doors. You can use weatherstripping, caulk, or foam insulation. You can also cover your windows with plastic film to help keep the heat in. Fourth, leave a small space heater running in a central location in your home. This will help to circulate the warm air and prevent your pipes from freezing. But make sure to keep the heater away from any flammable materials, such as curtains or furniture.
Set Your Thermostat Correctly
The correct temperature to keep your house while you’re away on vacation in winter is 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This is low enough to prevent your pipes from freezing, but high enough to keep your home from getting too cold. If you set your thermostat any lower, you risk freezing your pipes. If you set it any higher, you’ll be wasting energy.
Tips for Keeping Your Home Warm While You’re Away
Here are a few additional tips for keeping your home warm while you’re away on vacation in winter:
- Install a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to set your thermostat to automatically turn down the heat when you’re away and turn it back up when you’re home.
- Use a space heater. A small space heater can help to circulate the warm air in your home and prevent your pipes from freezing.
- Insulate your home. Insulating your home will help to keep the heat in and the cold out.
- Close your curtains. Closing your curtains will help to block out the cold air and keep the heat in.
- Leave a light on. Leaving a light on in a central location in your home will help to keep the temperature from dropping too low.
FAQ on Keeping Your Home Warm While on Vacation
Q: What’s the best way to keep my pipes from freezing while I’m away on vacation?
A: The best way to keep your pipes from freezing is to turn down your thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and insulate your home. You can also leave a small space heater running in a central location in your home.
Q: What should I do if my pipes freeze while I’m away on vacation?
A: If your pipes freeze while you’re away on vacation, don’t panic. First, turn off the water supply to your home. Then, call a plumber to come and thaw the pipes.
Q: How can I save energy while I’m away on vacation?
A: You can save energy while you’re away on vacation by turning down your thermostat, closing your curtains, and unplugging any unnecessary appliances.
Conclusion
Keeping your home warm while you’re away on vacation in winter is important to prevent damage to your home and make it more comfortable to come home to. By following the tips in this article, you can keep your home warm and safe while you’re away.
Are you interested in more tips for keeping your home warm and comfortable during the winter months? If so, be sure to check out our other blog posts on the topic.
