What temperature should I set the thermostat at for a house that is going to remain empty for several months?

Question

The house is located in Chicago and it is thet dead of winter. I want to keep my energy bills down but obviously don't want to worry about my pipes freezing.

Answer 1

Part of the answer has to do with the construction of the house. New vs old, water pipes in exterior walls vs interior walls etc.

I have done fine with 45-50, but if I were gone several months, I would turn off the water where it comes into the house, and probably drain it (there should be a bleed screw at the shutdoff). You don't have to go crazy blowing everything out and antifreeze in toilets etc, just as long as the runs in the outside walls are not filled with water. Just turning the water off will prevent huge major problems. Even without freezing issues, 3 months with a minor water leak from a valve or something could lead to a major problem.

No matter what you do, leave cabinets under the bathroom and kitchen sinks open so air will move and keep pipes warm.

Insurance companies will likely not continue coverage if they know the house is unoccupied, so someone should be checking on it.

Answer 2

I live in upstate N.Y. and get out for Jan.-Feb. and March, to Myrtle Beach. I shut off the water, open all taps, put anti freeze in the traps,set the thermostat at 50, 3 years no problems, My son checks the house every few days. As we speak it is 4 degrees there.

Answer 3

55 degrees will be OK. Also turn off the water at the main valve inside the house and unplug all appliances. Turn off the gas to your water heater. Stop all mail delivery and newspapers. Ask a neighbor to check the house and turn different lights on or off each week. This will help prevent it from being vandalized as an abandoned house.

Answer 4

I would keep your t-stat to the lowest setting in auto mode if you have a digital thermostat.this will keep your pipes from freezing up and be able to move air thoughout the house.if you have a mercury t-stat do the same too but, will not change in warmer weather.heat lowest setting 55-60,cooling at 80-85

Answer 5

I also live in the midwest. Whenever I leave for any extended period I put my thermostat on 60 degrees. You could go lower however, you must take into account how balanced your heating sytem is. For instance, your thermostat may read 60 degrees but an outside wall exposed to little sun and extreme winds could register considerably lower. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

I would set the it around 55-60. You need to have someone check on your house at least once a week. My aunt lives in Florida in the winter and one winter her furance in Mich broke. Lots of damage because it was not caught for about 2 weeks. the pipes broke.

Answer 7

simple if you have a non-digital thermostat they only go down to 55 or so ( this is because the pipes are in the walls and under the floors not in the room so 55 is safe less is not )

Answer 8

I would go 60-65 no lower..I would also let the water drip so as your pipes won't freeze, keep the doors to your pipes open so as the heat can get to them..

Answer 9

I wouldn't go lower than 50 or 55. You also better get someone in to check every second day or your insurance company won't pay if there's a problem regarding a broken pipe, failed furnace, sewage backup... anything.

Answer 10

my retired parents winter in FLA but live in Ontario, and they turn OFF all the hydro and water. dad uses a shop vac to blow the waterlines empty. this way you can eliminate the bills altogether in the winter. he's never had a problem with lines freezing.