[rustyp]

Brownouts are a lot more damaging to a fridge than sitting idle for an extended period of time.

[jdrahaim]

We used to leave for 3-4 months and left the refrigerator on but turned off the ice water feature in the door. Also get a humidistat installed and set at 60% humidity and ac at 80 degrees.

[Suzieque]

Originally Posted by Bay Kid

I always leave mine on. Turn off the ice. I fill water bottles and place them in the freezer. Keep the main frig full of beer, ready for my return. With the lack of door opening very economical to keep running and better for the fridge.

If you must turn off for any length of time leave the doors blocked open.

Why do you put water bottles in the freezer?

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Au contraire, when we leave for 6-8 months we turn the AC to 83. Never had a problem. 76-77 is cooler than we run it while here--79 or 80 during the day; 76 at night.

I have done both with the refrigerator, but now we turn the fridge off and prop the doors open.

It's what to do about the johns that I can't seem to find the right answer for.

If you are concerned that the toilets may go dry, you can seal the toilet bowls with saran wrap to prevent evaporation. Also, if you have the Kohler toilets that the builder installs, they are a two flush type. This means that if you press the handle down and release it immediately, you will only use about a half gallon of water. But, if you press the handle down and hold it for a few seconds, you will get a stronger flush that uses about 2 gallons. I would suggest giving each toilet a strong flush before leaving for vacation, as that will leave more water in the bowl, and also flush some of the dirt out of the tank.

[tallyhoer]

Florida Department of Agriculture has a class as well as a handbook titled, "Closing Your Florida Home" Good information that you can access online at their website. They strongly recommend turning fridge off, cleaning out and leaving doors open.

[tobiaszr]

For the last 16 years, we have left ours on, when we go away for extended times. I Ioad up the fridge with soda, beer, and water. I also have large water bottles, that I freeze, and leave in the freezer. I feel all of this helps to keep the temp down in the unit and it won't run as often with the doors opening fewer times.

[merrymini]

Never turn off the fridge but empty any perishables out of it and the freezer. Because no one is opening the door, it does not work as hard to stay cold. I have heard that shutting refrigerators off can shorten their life span. Getting a refrigerator back to the right temp can take a couple of days. Partially filled bottles of water in the freezer work to keep the unit working more efficiently and good to do all the time. Bleach in toilets keeps mold from growing (do not forget the tank). Water turned off to the house and water heater turned off at the circuit breaker. I have been doing this for over thirty years at beach houses and here. Works like a dream.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by merrymini

Never turn off the fridge but empty any perishables out of it and the freezer. Because no one is opening the door, it does not work as hard to stay cold. I have heard that shutting refrigerators off can shorten their life span. Getting a refrigerator back to the right temp can take a couple of days. Partially filled bottles of water in the freezer work to keep the unit working more efficiently and good to do all the time. Bleach in toilets keeps mold from growing (do not forget the tank). Water turned off to the house and water heater turned off at the circuit breaker. I have been doing this for over thirty years at beach houses and here. Works like a dream.

I wouldn't put bleach in the tank. It can damage the rubber parts.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by tallyhoer

Florida Department of Agriculture has a class as well as a handbook titled, "Closing Your Florida Home" Good information that you can access online at their website. They strongly recommend turning fridge off, cleaning out and leaving doors open.

Do you have a link? I did an extensive search on their website and Google and cannot find it.

[hubheadrmh]

Originally Posted by Bunny1

When you leave your FL home, 4-6 months do you leave REFRIGERATOR on or off?
Receiving conflicting information on on or off? Thank you for your input.

We have been turning off our refrigerators for 25 years, save electricity $ and extends its life. No adverse problems. Doesn't ruin the seals.

[Petersweeney]

Originally Posted by tobiaszr

For the last 16 years, we have left ours on, when we go away for extended times. I Ioad up the fridge with soda, beer, and water. I also have large water bottles, that I freeze, and leave in the freezer. I feel all of this helps to keep the temp down in the unit and it won't run as often with the doors opening fewer times.

Where do you live? Some cold beer would be nice in July

[GPGuar]

Shut refrigerator off, turn thermostat to 82 degrees, turn off water heater, and shut off whole house water. Why would you wanna spend money on electricity when you’re not there? Bin doing this for 15 years and never had any problems.

[tomtauto]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Au contraire, when we leave for 6-8 months we turn the AC to 83. Never had a problem. 76-77 is cooler than we run it while here--79 or 80 during the day; 76 at night.

I have done both with the refrigerator, but now we turn the fridge off and prop the doors open.

It's what to do about the johns that I can't seem to find the right answer for.

We cover the bowl of the commodes with Saran Wrap which prevents the evaporation of the water. We are usually away for six months—most of the water is still there when we return. We also cover or use the drain plug on all sinks and shower drains. This keeps the water from evaporating out of the traps.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Do you have a link? I did an extensive search on their website and Google and cannot find it.

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/HE/HE88700.pdf

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by tomtauto

We cover the bowl of the commodes with Saran Wrap which prevents the evaporation of the water. We are usually away for six months—most of the water is still there when we return. We also cover or use the drain plug on all sinks and shower drains. This keeps the water from evaporating out of the traps.

I would not cover or close the drain plugs. But, if you do, I would make sure that you shut off the main water valve to the house. Otherwise, a small faucet leak could cause the sink or shower stall to overflow.