Whether it’s a much-needed vacation or a long trip for work, taking a trip means making preparations for your HVAC system. You don't need it if you’re away, so you can make adjustments as appropriate to minimize your energy use. At the same time, you shouldn't just shut it down for the entire time you're gone.
For the most part, it’s better to leave your HVAC system going and just make adjustments depending on the season. That way you can reduce energy costs without worrying about getting back 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 different times of year.
Here’s Why You Avoid Leaving Your Thermostat on Hold
While you might be wanting to shut your HVAC system down before a trip, this will sometimes end up stirring up costly problems by the time you return. This is particularly true when the weather will be severely hot or cold while you’re away from home.
For instance, turning the HVAC system down in the summer will sometimes produce very high humidity. Not only will your home feel gross when you come back, but it might have also invited mold/mildew growth or pest infestations.
And during the winter, not using the furnace might lead to pipes freezing up or even bursting. It’s an awful feeling to come home from a nice trip 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. Since you’re away for around 8 hours or so, it doesn’t make sense to keep an empty home heated or cooled as if you were there. In general, it’s suggested to adjust the thermostat by 5 degrees or more. Meaning that if you prefer a comfortable 72 degrees, think about raising it to 76-77 while you’re at work.
But you can save even more if you try further adjustments to the temperature. As stated by the Department of Energy, you may save nearly 10% on your HVAC costs by raising the temperature by about 7-10 degrees.
Ideal Thermostat Settings While on a Trip in Summer
If you're on an extended trip in the heart of summer, you can make larger adjustments. This ensures you don’t waste energy while still protecting your home from the problems that come with leaving it uncooled. Something like 5 degrees is appropriate for shorter trips while closer to 10 degrees is best if you’ll be out of town for 2 weeks or longer. If you prefer keeping the house at 72 in the summer, 78-82 can offer the best results.
Ideal Thermostat Settings While Away from Home in Winter
To determine the most energy-efficient thermostat setting for a winter getaway, just lower the temperature by the same amount you would adjust it in summer. 68 is a popular winter thermostat setting, so lowering it to 63-58 will prevent ice from forming on pipes while limiting how often your furnace runs.
A Smart Thermostat Can Help: Perks of a Smart Thermostat
A great way to regulate your home’s HVAC system while away is using a smart thermostat. This special type of programmable thermostat employs intelligent software to track your preferred comfort habits. It applies these preferences and makes automatic corrections to the schedule for maximum energy efficiency. And with Wi-Fi integration, you can remotely access your HVAC system from a mobile device or tablet.
Smart thermostats are packed with features to help you save energy and lower costs. For example, specific models can track electricity prices to bolster heating or cooling when prices are lowest. They can also work with high-efficiency, variable-speed equipment to optimize how long your HVAC system needs to run. It’s the perfect tool to enhance how you control your comfort system. If you’re planning on investing in a smart thermostat, there are multiple ways you can reduce your costs, essentially getting a smart thermostat for free. The next time you leave for vacation, you can enjoy true peace of mind that your HVAC system won’t cause any trouble while you’re gone.