new snowbirds, need advice
 

I've tried searching but couldn't find the answers I need.
We just bought a home in TV. We're not retired yet. But we plan on doing so next fall.

Until then we'll be coming down on and off for a week at a time when we can use vacation time.
I've seen where people say to tape over drains to keep bugs out, and to put saran wrap over the toilets to keep the water from evaporating. just wondering if this is good advice?
Also, what temp should I keep the house at in the summer?
Any other tips or advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

I would recommend to keep your thermostat set at 80/81 during the summer. Keep your window blinds closed to block the sun.

We keep our house at 77 for cooling and 71 for heat. when we're not here we shut off water to the inside of the house. they're good homes designed to have little upkeep. if you're only here part time I suggest you get a home watch for when you're away. they will tell you when/if there's a problem and be your go-between when things need doing(a good home watch will).

other than that enjoy.

should not be a problem -- 've seen where people say to tape over drains to keep bugs out, and to put saran wrap over the toilets to keep the water from evaporating - I would not do unless you are going to be gone for weeks.
Humidity is the big item. Might go 70 from midnight to 6 am to get humidity out of the air. Then 80 for the rest of the time. I would set the heat at 68. Yes turn of the water to the home. Hot water heater on piolet???

Get to know your neighbors that are here full time that can help out in case of trouble.

Part Time Villager
 

Same story with us. One retired, one not, so we come & go. We have a gal who has a business & watchs our house. She comes twice a month, $25 each time. Checks hot water heater, make sure AC is working, waters plants, sprays for weeds outside, takes golf cart for a ride, flushes toilets & will clean if necessary, makes sure outside lamp post is lit, make sure fridge is running, changes batteries in smoke detectors, sprays for ants or bugs.

When we let her know we're coming, she will turn hot water up, straighten up. I asked her if she dusted & she said yes!

She sent pictures of sand mounds in our back yard. Here it was a pocket gopher. Would of made a mess if she hadn't seen it. Hired someone to trap it.

Totally worth it, peace of mind!! Gloria's Home Watch 952-217-9645

We did this for 4 years until we became official snowbirds. When you leave for the summer leave your ac on 82-84. For winter 60 is good. Always put a capful of bleach, then saran wrap on toilets then close the lid. Always turn off the water as long as you live south of 466. Turn hot water heater down to lowest but not off. Close all blinds. Leave sides down on golf cart.

Our thermostat is connected to the WiFi, so conditions can be monitored and adjustments made from our summer location up north. We didn't have to change anything, but we could have. Our HVAC guy recommended we keep the temperature in summer set for 80F. Our thermostat also has a humidistat which will kick the AC on if it gets above the set level. We set the humidistat for 60%, also on the advice of the HVAC guy. We also left all the doors to rooms open, and all of the fans moving on low. We also had a friend check the property every so often.

I also installed an irrigation controller that could be monitored and controlled by my phone, from up north. Irrigation is pretty simple in summer, because it rains so much you don't have to do much watering. However, still a good idea to have some eyes on it in case it starts to get dry.

Did you tape over the drains?

Lots of good advice here, looks like they check all of the boxes .

I'm considering a wifi thermostat. My house also has a humidstat. What thermostat do you have? Any issues with it? Thanks.

We have a honeywell works great

We close our drains and tape the shower drains. We had bleach and use plastic wrap over toilets. Shut off water and hot water. We leave ac at about 80 and turn heat down to about 55. Make sure the dehumidifier function is on.

I've installed a number of Honeywell WiFi thermostats. I've also installed a couple nests.

I much prefer the Honeywell because you can set it to a temperature and it doesn't try to out think you. Last fall when I was living here in FL and traveling to NJ for work about once every 6 weeks, I used my boss's NJ house up there to stay(he also lives in FL). It has a nest. It is set on ECO and doesn't keep the house warm unless someone walks past it. I'm gone for 12 hours, come back to a quite cold house. Set a temp..2 hours later, it's cooling off again. It was maddening.

I had 3 zones with Honeywell WiFi in my NJ house and one each in the two houses I own in FL. I've installed them for others too. I've even removed a Nest for a friend and installed a Honeywell for the reason I listed above.

Place a drop or two of bleach in your toilets and the cover with Saran Wrap. Works great. Turn off water at main line in garage. Turn off water heater at breaker. Thermostat at 82 will work fine.