Between a tropical vacation or a long trip for work, taking a trip means making preparations for your home comfort system. You can't use it while you’re away, so you can adjust the temperature as appropriate to minimize your energy use. Just the same, you shouldn't just shut it down for the entire time you're out of the house.
Instead, it’s better to leave your HVAC system running and just make adjustments depending on the season. That way you can reduce energy costs without stressing about returning to an uncomfortable home. We’ll explain why you should avoid turning your HVAC system off as well as the most energy-efficient thermostat settings for summer and winter.
This Is Why You Avoid Leaving Your Thermostat Alone
While you could be inclined to turn your HVAC system off before a trip, this will sometimes end up stirring up big problems by the time you come back. This is particularly true when the weather will be severely hot or cold while you’re gone.
For example, turning the HVAC system off during the summer will sometimes lead to very high humidity. Not only will your home feel like a swamp when you return, but it could have also stimulated mold/mildew growth or pest infestations.
And during the winter, not using the furnace might lead to pipes icing over or even bursting. It’s exhausting to get home from a vacation only to come across extensive water damage close to a broken pipe.
Best Thermostat Settings While at Work
You can adjust the temperature even when you're just going to work. Considering you’re not home for 8 hours or more, it doesn’t seem sensible to keep an empty home heated or cooled as if you were there. Generally, it’s encouraged to turn up the thermostat by 5 degrees or more. That means that if you prefer a comfortable 72 degrees, think about raising it to 76-77 while you’re at work.
But you could save even more if you try further adjustments to the temperature. According to the Department of Energy, you may save nearly 10% on your HVAC costs by raising the temperature by about 7-10 degrees.
Energy-Efficient Thermostat Settings While on Vacation in Summer
If you're on an extended trip in the heart of summer, you can make bigger adjustments. This prevents wasting energy while still protecting your home from the issues that come with leaving it without air conditioning. About 5 degrees is suitable for shorter trips while a larger adjustment of 10 degrees is best if you’ll be away from home for 2 weeks or more. If you enjoy keeping the house at 72 in the summer, 78-82 should offer great results.
Ideal Thermostat Settings While On a Trip in Winter
To determine the ideal thermostat setting for a winter trip, just lower the temperature by the same amount you would increase it in summer. 68 is a popular winter thermostat setting, so lowering it to 63-58 will prevent ice from forming on pipes while restricting how long your furnace runs.
Smart Thermostats Are Even Better: Benefits of a Smart Thermostat
One of the best ways to regulate your home’s HVAC system while out of the house is by investing in a smart thermostat. This innovative type of programmable thermostat employs intelligent software to monitor your typical comfort habits. It gradually understands these preferences and makes automatic adjustments to the schedule for better energy efficiency. And with Wi-Fi compatibility, you can remotely adjust your HVAC system using a smart device like a phone or tablet.
Smart thermostats are packed with features to help you save even more. To provide an example, certain models can observe electricity prices to bolster heating or cooling when prices are more affordable. They are compatible with high-efficiency, variable-speed equipment to fine-tune how long your HVAC system should run. It’s the perfect tool to enhance how you use your comfort system. If you’re planning on investing in a smart thermostat, there are a variety of ways you can lower your costs, effectively getting a smart thermostat for free. The next time you are away from home, you can enjoy true peace of mind that your HVAC system won’t stir up any trouble while you’re away from home.