When you're away from home, adjusting your thermostat can significantly save energy and protect your property. A good rule of thumb is to set your thermostat approximately 10 degrees Fahrenheit (F) from your regular, occupied comfort setting.
Optimizing Your Thermostat for Energy Savings and Home Protection
Leaving your thermostat at an optimized temperature while you're away is a smart practice for several reasons, primarily to reduce the amount of time your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system runs, which directly translates to energy savings. It also helps prevent potential issues like frozen pipes in winter or excessive humidity and mold growth in summer.
General Guidelines for Vacation Settings
The recommended approach for setting your thermostat when you're gone involves a simple adjustment based on the season:
- Summer: Set your thermostat about 10 degrees higher than your normal comfortable temperature. For example, if you typically keep your home at 72°F, raise it to around 82°F.
- Winter: Set your thermostat about 10 degrees lower than your normal comfortable temperature. If your usual winter setting is 68°F, consider lowering it to 58°F.
Recommended Temperature Ranges
While the "10-degree rule" is a helpful guideline, there are also absolute limits to consider to ensure your home remains safe and sound during your absence.
| Season | Recommended Adjustment | Absolute Maximum/Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | ~10°F higher than normal comfort setting | Generally not above 85°F |
| Winter | ~10°F lower than normal comfort setting | Generally not below 50°F |
These ranges help balance energy conservation with the need to protect your home from extreme temperatures. By reducing your HVAC system's runtime, you can significantly lower your utility bills while you're away, as detailed by ElectricityPlans®.
Why Adjust Your Thermostat While Away?
Adjusting your thermostat offers several key benefits:
- Significant Energy Savings: By allowing your home's temperature to drift closer to the outside temperature, your HVAC system won't have to work as hard, leading to substantial reductions in energy consumption and cost.
- Preventing Winter Damage: Keeping the indoor temperature above 50°F in winter is crucial to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting, which can cause extensive water damage. It also helps to avoid issues like condensation and mold buildup in colder parts of the home.
- Preventing Summer Damage: In warmer months, maintaining a temperature below 85°F helps to control humidity levels, discouraging the growth of mold and mildew, and protecting sensitive electronics, wooden furniture, and floors from heat and moisture damage.
- Reduced Wear and Tear: Less frequent operation of your HVAC system means less wear and tear on its components, potentially extending its lifespan and reducing maintenance needs.
