[TommyT]

We are closing on our home next week in the Village of Pennecamp and we'll be part timers for about a year. I'm confused and troubled and hope someone can help.

We will be coming in every month or two for long weekends, vacations, etc., but I'm not quite sure what I need to do to the house when we aren't there. I've been told to turn up the A/C (82 degs or better), turn off the hot water heater, set the sprinkler system to run once a week, have the lawn mowed and such...... but I need cold hard facts... So, Part Timers, what has been your experience in this matter ???? Any help is appreciated.

[philnpat]

Hi Tommy,
We're in the same boat as you.
When we leave, we unplug all TVs, microwave, cable modem, dvd player etc.
Turn off the water...our shutoff is located in the garage behind a panel.
There's a slide switch on the garage door control. Move the switch to "locked".
Cancel the newspaper.
We have a home watch (caretaker) check on our home weekly. He's worth his weight in gold! We get a weekly e-mail from him assuring us that all is well.
PM me if you would like his contact information.
We also bring in the lanai furniture and put it in the garage.
I'm sure I've forgotten some things but I'm sure others will add to the list.
Welcome!
Phil and Pat

[elevatorman]

You may want to check into a humidistat.

[starflyte1]

I think if we turn off our water, our sprinkler system is also turned off. We are north of 466, so maybe not all properties are the same.

[ajbrown]

Try "Search Forums" for the word unplug.

Strange search I know, but it only returns 40 threads and at least 3 or 4 have some really great info.

[redwitch]

If you're not having someone check your house, here are the basic steps:

Turn A/C up to 82 (no higher).
Turn fridge and freezer down to "2"; turn off icemaker.
At a minimum, close lids to toilets -- covering with plastic wrap even better.
Cover/put in stoppers/close all drains.
Turn off water (usually in garage unless a CYV, then in front in the round, pink or purple pipe).
Unplug as much of the electricals as possible.
During hurricane season, bring in lanai/outdoor furniture.
If you have a gas cart, add stabilizer; if electrical, keep it plugged in (ask a neigbor to unplug it during a major lightning storm).
Lock garage door.
Be sure all doors and windows are locked (a wooden dowel in sliding doors is a good idea as well).

Do remember that if you are gone for more than 30 days and your house is not checked on a weekly basis, your insurance company will not cover any damage done to your home. So, as long as you come down every month, you should be covered for everything but burglary but that's not covered whether your home is watched or not. If you plan to make it something like every 5-6 weeks, then you need to have someone watch your home. Do not ask neigbors to check your home on a regular basis -- their liability if something happens to your home is quite high (they've assumed the risk and the insurance company will go after them if they forgot to check, etc.).

[2newyorkers]

We were part timers for 4 years and now we are snowbirds! We kept a list in the kitchen on how to open and close the house. We were told do not turn off the hot water heater, just turn it to the last dot. In the summer we leave the AC on 84 and the winter the heat on 55. Turn off the water and all major appliances (we put astericks next to the circuit breaker we turn on and off). We are south of 466 so turning off the water does not affect your sprinklers but your outside hose will not work. Disconnect the cable and unplug the TV. Cover the furniture. Leave the refrigerator and dishwasher open by putting something in the door.(A broom and wooden spoon works). Leave the lid on your washing machine open. Make sure all your blinds are closed and leave the lids up on the toilets. We also put the lanai furniture in the garage. Make sure the golf cart is unplugged. We could open and close the house in less than 10 minutes. We have the luxury of having a wonderful neighbor who checks our house. Enjoy all your time at TV. Before you can blink you will no longer be a part timer.

[duffysmom]

I highly recommend Redwitch as your homewatch contact. If you search these boards you will see that she comes highly recommended.

[Pats2010]

I heard Ed and Mary Edwards are very reliable.

http://safehomewatch.weebly.com/

[TommyT]

Originally Posted by elevatorman

You may want to check into a humidistat.

Humidistat ???? What is it ??? I've heard the term, but not what it actually does or how to use one.

[redwitch]

It's actually a dehumidistat. Anyway, it is attached to the thermostat and controls the humidity in the house. It is only used when the house is unoccupied. Most homeowners who are gone for long periods love them and I do recommend them for unoccupied homes that are empty for 60 days or longer at a time and not checked weekly. I'm not a fan of them since I've found some houses that have them to have a musty smell. Others say I'm smelling things (could be).

[Pturner]

Tommy T

Welcome to The Villages! I am excited for you and wish you all the best in your new home. I also recommend Redwitch for home watch.

[Pats2010]

Originally Posted by TommyT

Humidistat ???? What is it ??? I've heard the term, but not what it actually does or how to use one.

A humidistat turns on your AC when the humidity reaches the setting you program.
It saves money because you don't need AC just because it is hot. Only when you want to take humidity (water) out of the air because it is the humidity that will cause mold and mildew damage.
Running AC on a hot dry day when the home is empty, wastes money.

[getdul981]

What about a dehumidifier? We have one in the basement. Ours has a connection so you can constantly drain and don't have to keep dumping the reservoir. You could set it up in the bathroom to drain into the shower.

[mulligan]

A dehumidifier does essentially the same thing as your AC when it is controlled by a humidistat, but it would probably not circulate the dry air throughout the entire house. For a fairly small investment, the humidistat (a device that controls the AC based on humidity rather than temperature) will ensure a humidity level low enough to discourage the growth of mold and mildew.