With the holidays behind us, many Long Island residents are planning winter vacations or perhaps even decamping for warmer climates until spring. Even with the forecast predicting a generally warmer-than-average winter, it is important to prepare your home for potentially bad weather and below-freezing temperatures while you’re away.
Should You Leave your Heat on at Home When Traveling During the Winter?
No matter how short or long your trip may be, it’s unwise to completely shut off the heat while you’re away. Should the temperature drop below freezing, you risk frozen or burst pipes that can result in serious flooding and expensive repairs. Freezing temperatures can also damage your water heater, heating elements, and other mechanicals. Additionally, unregulated temperatures can create a cold, damp environment that leads to mold growth.
What is the Best Temperature to Set My Thermostat in Winter When on Vacation?
Before you leave, set your thermostat between 50°F and 60°F (10°C-15.5°C). This balances the need to protect your pipes with the desire to conserve energy and save money. If you have hardwood floors or if your home and/or pipes are not well-insulated, you may wish to set the temperature a bit higher, around 60-65°F (15.5-18.5°C) to be safe. The same is true if your home has cold spots.
If you plan to be away from home multiple times or for extended periods during the winter, you may wish to purchase a programmable thermostat with a vacation or “away” mode. There are also thermostats that can be controlled remotely through an app on your phone.
How to Prevent Pipes from Freezing When Going on Vacation
In addition to setting your thermostat at an appropriate temperature, you may wish to take some extra steps. If you have not already done so for everyday reasons, insulate any exposed pipes with foam sleeves or heat tape. Seal up any cracks or gaps around your home’s foundation, windows, and doors to keep out the cold and prevent heat loss from inside. Don’t forget to disconnect any outdoor hoses and to insulate the spigots. Before leaving on vacation, open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warmer air to circulate.
Should Snowbirds Winterize Their Home?
Before leaving for the winter, it is necessary to protect your home for the cold months ahead. Here is a basic HVAC and plumbing winterization to-do list for snowbirds:
Well in advance:
- Insulate any exposed pipes.
- Seal gaps around windows, doors, and foundation.
- Remove screens.
- Disconnect outdoor water hoses and insulate spigots.
- Have your furnace or boiler inspected and serviced by a licensed professional.
Before departure:
- Clean thoroughly and remove trash to prevent pest incursion that can damage pipes and electrical wiring.
- Test smoke and CO2 alarms to ensure they’re working properly.
- Shut off the water main and drain all remaining water from pipes. If your home has a fire sprinkler system, you may wish to forego this step.
- Ensure that the fuel tank is filled and have a plan to monitor it remotely while you’re away.
- Replace or clean the furnace filter, where applicable.
- Set the thermostat at the appropriate temperature for your home’s specs.
- Open under-sink cabinets to ensure air flow to pipes.
- Let your security company or a trusted friend/family member know you’re leaving.
Keeping Your Home Warm All Winter Long
Express COD provides fast, affordable home heating oil delivery to protect your home and keep it warm all winter long. Prepare for falling temperatures by contacting us or by placing an online order from anywhere, 24/7/365. We also provide thermostat replacement, system maintenance, and equipment repairs to prepare your home for winter and keep you comfortable year-round