What do you leave thermostat on while away!

[wendyquat]

We are new to TV and will be taking an extended trip soon. What temp do you put your thermostats on this time of year when you are going to be away? Do you make any changes in the gas water heater?

Thanks

[bkcunningham1]

We just back from a 23 day trip out of TV. We set the the air to 80. I don't know about the gas water heater. But we always close our toilet lids to prevent evaporation (which creates dangerous sewer gas if it evaporates).

[champion6]

We just closed remotely on the purchase of our house. Our sales rep set the thermostat to 82.

[mmac321]

We just had our walk-thru with the developer for a new house and he suggests 82 in the summer and 60 in the winter also you can turn off your water heater from your breaker box.

[Bosoxfan]

We go north for 4 months in the summer.We set our thermostat @@79 & our humidistat @60.This allows the house to heat up but tells the AC to kick on if the humidity reaches. %60.By doing this. we save money by not running the AC when it's not needed.

[chuckinca]

83 in summer and 50 in winter.


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[Barefoot]

We are new to TV and will be taking an extended trip soon. What temp do you put your thermostats on this time of year when you are going to be away? Do you make any changes in the gas water heater? Thanks

Wendy, welcome to TV. You haven't said if you have a humidistat or not. A humidistat makes a difference to how you set your air conditioning.

In case you don't know about humidistats, there is a search button above in the blue line. We've talked here extensively about humidistats. You might want to type in "humidistats" in the search line as there is a lot of interesting information. We personally have saved thousands of dollars in electrical costs, but then we're away for extended periods.

Have fun on your trip!

[hedoman]

We set the AC at 81 turn the water heater the the lowest (coldest setting) and turn the fridge to warmest setting (NOT the freezer. Keeping the water heater on keeps sediment from forming. Close all drapes, spray bug stuff and drop the lids on the toilet.

[l2ridehd]

Set mine at 82 with humidistat at 55% and turn gas water heater to low. Turn ice maker off and lower lids. Have home checked weekly.

[TommyT]

82 Summer
55 Winter

[Barefoot]

We set the AC at 81 turn the water heater the the lowest (coldest setting) and turn the fridge to warmest setting (NOT the freezer. Keeping the water heater on keeps sediment from forming. Close all drapes, spray bug stuff and drop the lids on the toilet.

Also, leave your ceiling fans running on low and open closet doors. If we are leaving for an extended period, we also put shallow bowls of (cheap) coffee in several rooms. It seems to keep the house smelling fresh. Our Housewatch Company checks our home every two weeks.

[Harry Gilbert]

Slightly off topic:

When leaving for more than a couple days shutting off the water heater will not hurt it and save you money.
More importantly turn off the water at the main shut off valve. There is nothing worse than coming home to find out just how much water will come out of a tiny leak! I had 2 inches of water in my basement a few years ago from a pinhole leak in a fitting after being gone for 3 days.

Sorry for the hijack

[Pturner]

What do we leave our thermostat on?

We leave ours on the wall. :throwtomatoes: Sorry. 82. We turn refrigerator and water heater to lowest settings.

[OpusX1]

We have a set back thermostat. We leave it on 86 during the day and 84 at night. That way we get air movement each day and our elec. bill is rarely over $20.
We leave our gas hot water tank on the lowest setting, that keeps moisture from collecting/corroding around the burner.
We shut off the water to the house and turn the fridge/freezer to the lowest/warmest stetting. A fridge is better off running than turned off. We place a penny on top of an ice tray, that way when we come back in the fall if the penny is on the bottom of the ice tray we know that there was a power outage and everything in the freezer/fridge needs to be tossed.
We also used coffee grounds in each room, keeps the musty closed up smell at bay.
We are snow birds so we are away for about 6 months.

[wendyquat]

Followed as many directions as I could and appreciate your input. When we get back we will look into a humistat!

Thanks, Wendy

[bkcunningham1]

We have a set back thermostat. We leave it on 86 during the day and 84 at night. That way we get air movement each day and our elec. bill is rarely over $20.
We leave our gas hot water tank on the lowest setting, that keeps moisture from collecting/corroding around the burner.
We shut off the water to the house and turn the fridge/freezer to the lowest/warmest stetting. A fridge is better off running than turned off. We place a penny on top of an ice tray, that way when we come back in the fall if the penny is on the bottom of the ice tray we know that there was a power outage and everything in the freezer/fridge needs to be tossed.
We also used coffee grounds in each room, keeps the musty closed up smell at bay.
We are snow birds so we are away for about 6 months.

I have never in my life heard the trick with the penny. That is really a good suggestion. I'm shaking my head saying, "Why didn't I ever think of that?" Good suggestions.

[ducati1974]

If you don't turn your water main off you should at the minimum turn off your washer water connection. A burst washer hose can destroy a house in a hurry!

[chuckinca]

And it you don't have someone checking the house on a regular basis your insurance carrier might not honor your claim.


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[mrfixit]

And it you don't have someone checking the house on a regular basis your insurance carrier might not honor your claim.
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CHUCKINCA..... You are Spot On. Thanks for the reminder. "Might not honor your claim".... is ALMOST a certainty.

[mrfixit]

If you don't turn your water main off you should at the minimum turn off your washer water connection. A burst washer hose can destroy a house in a hurry!
GOOD POINT ducati1974.......
Clothes Washer .... OMG...that happened to my Sisters home. Luckily she had PROOF that the House was being checked. I ended up putting the "Five-Gallon" flow limit (per event) hoses on ALL her toilets and sinks... AND..... showed her how to shut down the water to the home. Carpets and Hardwood floors ...new Baseboards and painting was done ...PLUS.... some furniture and drapes replaced by her insurance. BTW... she DID have "FULL-- replacement cost" coverage on her policy.