It’s always fun to take time off and getaway. Especially this time of year as the holidays draw near.
You may leave town and go visit family. You may even have a trip planned to go somewhere warm and tropical to get away from the bitter cold of winter.
Leaving your home vacant, even for a few days, in the winter months can present a unique set of problems.
One of our neighbors left for vacation during a cold snap. His thermostat was set to keep the house warm. However, while he was gone, a warm front came through. Ideally, his furnace would have cycled off as the outside temperature rose.
Not this time. His furnace didn’t cycle off. He returned home to a blazing hot house. It got so warm that all the indoor plants wilted and died. It was even so hot that the wax seal on his toilet melted!
There was no way he could’ve predicted his thermostat becoming faulty in his absence. Unfortunately, things like that happen on occasion.
However, with just a little checking and planning, you can prevent many disasters from occurring.
Whether you’ll be visiting family or going on vacation this holiday season, we’d like to share seven simple tips to help make sure your homecoming doesn’t become headache.
Tip 1: Set Thermostat to 65 Degrees
Set your thermostat at a lower temperature. Most electric companies recommend 65-70 degrees as your “away” setting, meaning you’ll be away several consecutive days.
Tip 2: Programmable Thermostat
Buy a programmable thermostat. If you get a smart thermostat, you can monitor and change the temp from your tablet or phone, even while away.
Tip 3: Open Cabinet Doors
Keep your lower cabinet doors open when you’re gone for an extended amount of time. This creates air flow around your plumbing lines and helps keep them from freezing.
Tip 4: Eliminate Drafts
Check around your doors and windows for air leaks. If you’re feeling a breeze, you should caulk or use a weather stripping around the area.
Tip 5: Clockwise Ceiling Fan Rotation
In the winter months, make sure your ceiling fan is set to rotate clockwise and turn on at a low speed. This will pull cool air up and push the warm air that naturally rises down along the room’s walls.
Tip 6: Close Curtains
Keep your curtains drawn or hang insulated curtains up for the duration of your trip.
Tip 7: Insulate Pipes
Use a foam sleeve to insulate your hot water pipes and any other pipes that make long trips to your sink or shower. By doing this, hot water will receive hot water faster when you turn on the faucet, taking some stress off your hot water heater.
Chances are slim that anything will happen to your house while you’re gone, especially if you follow these simple precautionary measures.
Do remember that we’re here to help when the unexpected does happen. If you come home to burst pipes, or a crooked toilet, or even a bad water heater, give us a call.
Wishing you a very merry Christmas and holiday season!
