Thermostat setting in home for snowbirds

[goingsouth]

I'm going south very soon and I've heard many conflicting adviseries of what temperature to set my home thermostat at to protect the water pipes and yet give some relief to the high heat bills that affect Wyoming in the winter..Any suggestions???

[codgerbill]

According to some articles recently published in the newspaper
(Glen Haege "The Handyman")...55-60 degrees F. He also recommends :
1. Turn off water at water main
2. Turn off gas or electricity to hot water tank and then draining the tank
3. Put some lights and radios on a timer and vary the turnon/turnoff times.
4. Put in a new furnace filter and either turn off humidifyer or set to 0(zero)
5. Either give away or dispose of food in refridgerator and freezer.
6. Turn off electricity to fridge/freezer and prop doors open.
7. Stop newspapers and redirect mail
8. Arrange for snow removal
9. Have a friendly neighbor or relative look in on house ocassionally.
10. Notify police you will be gone and perhaps give name of
person(s) checking on house

[frank]

Good information!! The only thing I would add is to rig a light on a thermostat that will go on if the temp gets to 45 in the house. Let some neighbors know you have done this and who to call if the light comes on. If your furnace fails or you trip a breaker it will not take long to freeze pipes. We live in new England and have done this.

Enjoy your winter!!!!

[murffdog]

Good information!! The only thing I would add is to rig a light on a thermostat that will go on if the temp gets to 45 in the house. Let some neighbors know you have done this and who to call if the light comes on. If your furnace fails or you trip a breaker it will not take long to freeze pipes. We live in new England and have done this.

Enjoy your winter!!!!


A thermocoupler/thermocube, plug a light into it, lights will come on at 35 degrees f or 2 c.

[codgerbill]

One other thing,
If one wants to go hi tech:
ATT has a remote monitoring system that will allow you to check home from laptop or other computer www.attrm.com

Sensaphone will let you call and get a complete report www.sensaphone.com (1-877-373-2700)

The following internet sites are suggested places to shop for the necessary monitoring equipment:
www.smartrhome.com (1-800-762-7846),
www.alarms247.com (1-800-296-3910)
www.intwoplaces.com (1-770-403-1684)

[jarhead1]

Shut water off at street drain HWH blow out lines and save money.No heat.

[fixit]

Shut water off at street drain HWH blow out lines and save money.No heat.

2 easy, makes 2 much sense and 2 uncomplicated--- never work:D

[flightning]

Be sure to check you homeowners policy, some policies do not cover water damage from frozen pipes of home is unoccupied for more than 30 days.

FLIGHTNING