Setting Your Thermostat Before Holiday Travel

Holiday travel is about letting go of the stress and embracing a little fun, relaxation and quality time with the people you care about most. Before you gather your bags and jet off to a warm beach or snow-laden mountain top, though, take a moment to complete this one critical task every homeowner should do before leaving: set your thermostat. Saving money on energy, protecting your home, and returning to a comfortable living space don’t have to be an uphill battle. With a little know-how and some easy advice, you can set your thermostat like a pro this holiday season.

Whether you are journeying to a hot, sandy oasis or escaping to a white wonderland, here’s your go-to guide for how to set your thermostat before holiday travel.

The Importance of Setting Your Thermostat Before Travel

While it can be tempting to just leave your HVAC system be and worry about it when you return from your travels, taking a few moments now can save you money, headaches, and wear-and-tear on your home. Simply leaving your heating or cooling system on while you’re away will increase your utility bills and waste energy unnecessarily. In colder climates, this could also lead to frozen pipes and low indoor temps that damage appliances and plants. Leaving the thermostat alone in the summer could cause increased energy use and humidity issues in the home.

By investing just a few minutes in properly setting your thermostat, you can enjoy your trip without any pesky concerns about the state of your home.

Ideal Thermostat Settings for Winter Travel

If you will be leaving your home during the wintertime, it is important to set your thermostat to a temperature that will keep your home warm without overtaxing the HVAC system or incurring a huge energy bill. The Department of Energy suggests setting your thermostat to approximately 55–60°F while you are away during the winter.

Here are a few more tips to consider:

• The lowest setting for winter: As a general rule of thumb, you don’t want to set your thermostat below 50°F when leaving your home during the winter. This is to keep your plumbing and home safe from any moisture or frozen pipe issues.
• Open cabinet doors: If you have pipes under sinks or in cold areas like the basement, open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to reach your plumbing.
• Use smart thermostat schedules: Smart thermostats allow you to program your device to automatically heat your home right before you are set to return.

By setting your thermostat appropriately, you can return to a home that is both comfortable and energy-efficient.

Ideal Thermostat Settings for Summer Travel

If you are traveling during the summer months, you may be looking for a setting that can help reduce the use of your air conditioner without making the inside of your home an oven. While experts have some slight variations in their recommendations, they generally suggest setting your thermostat at around 80–85°F while you are traveling during the summer months.

Tips for summer settings:

• Leaving the AC on: While you may be tempted to turn your air conditioning system off while traveling during the summer, this is a bad idea. Electronics could overheat and damage appliances, wood floors may warp, and it may be harder to cool down your home upon your return. The exception is if you have pets that will remain at home or if you are storing temperature-sensitive items in the house.
• Close blinds and curtains: Keep blinds and curtains closed to block sunlight and keep the interior of your home as cool as possible.
• Adjust settings according to your home: If you have pets staying at home or sensitive electronics and items inside, adjust your settings higher.

Once you’ve found your ideal thermostat setting, combine it with other smart home tips to increase energy efficiency.

Smart Thermostats and Remote Temperature Control

One of the best ways to set your thermostat before you leave is to invest in a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat will allow you to set your temperature remotely using your tablet or smartphone. You can even make on-the-fly adjustments should your travel plans get shaken up.

The benefits of a smart thermostat include:

• Remote thermostat access: Forgot to set your thermostat before leaving? No sweat—you can access your settings from anywhere with a smart thermostat.
• Learning features: Some smart thermostats can detect your schedule and make temperature adjustments for you.
• Geo-fencing and alerts: Smart thermostats with geo-fencing and alerts can tell if you have left the house or are approaching home and adjust temperatures accordingly.

Popular brands include Nest’s Learning Thermostat, ecobee’s SmartThermostat, and Honeywell Home T9. When you pair a high-quality smart thermostat with a quality HVAC system like those installed and serviced by American Vintage Home, you can greatly increase both comfort and savings in your home.

Other Energy-Saving Tips for When You’re Away

Setting your thermostat to the perfect temperature is only one part of the energy-saving equation. Protect your home and increase efficiency by following these additional tips:

• Unplug electronics: TVs, computers, and phone chargers can continue to use energy when not in use, so unplug as you go.
• Turn down your water heater: Lower the temperature on your water heater or turn on the “vacation” setting to conserve energy while you’re away.
• Close blinds and shades: Keep your blinds and shades closed to help regulate indoor temperatures regardless of your climate.
• Seal any leaks and drafts: Check around windows and doors to ensure you are not losing any conditioned air from outside elements.
• Create a checklist: Having a standard checklist that you use before leaving on a trip can help you ensure that you have completed all the important energy-saving and home-protecting tasks before you leave.

Wrapping It Up

Leaving for a vacation is an exciting time, and you shouldn’t have to worry about your thermostat settings stealing away from your time with friends and family. From choosing the right temperature setting to leveraging the latest in smart home tech, there are a lot of simple steps you can take to set your thermostat and protect your home before leaving for a long or short vacation. With a little preparation and a helpful HVAC partner like American Vintage Home, you can set your thermostat like a pro this holiday travel season.

Do you have more questions about preparing your HVAC system for a trip? At American Vintage Home, we provide custom heating and cooling services for homes throughout the Chicagoland area. We can help you get ready for your vacation, whether you need help installing a smart thermostat, boiler servicing, or winterizing your system.

Call today to schedule an appointment with our expert technicians before the holidays begin!