I just bought a new house this year. It’s drafty and heating is inefficient. I will have to work on that in the New Year. But in the meantime what is the best strategy for turning down the temperature when I am not home? I have 3 scenarios. I am not home all day, I frequently am gone for a night or two, and I will be gone for 2 weeks. Does it make a difference on what you would turn the heat down to?
For the 2 week period, I am worried as I live in a milder climate (cool) with temperatures hitting freezing especially at night, and about a 10% chance of a drastic cold snap! How warm would I want the house to stay if there is a chance it is really cold outside?
2007-12-11 11:33:18 · 3 answers · asked by JuanB 7 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Yes setting the thermostat lower can save a significant amount of fuel.
You don't want your pipes to freeze. In a mild climate on days that you will be coming home or gone for a day or two with no significant cold weather forcast you can probably set it down to 50 without any problems If you will be away for a significant period of time like two weeks you may get a cold snap. I would not go below 60 and you may want to open up all of your cabinets doors under sinks so that heat can get in.
2007-12-11 11:48:14 · answer #1 · answered by R P A 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Here in the Northeast we turn it down to 60 when we leave in the morn at 7:00. It's a programmable thermostat and turns the heat to 64 at 4:30. So when we get home after 5:00 it Is warm Then back to 60 from 11:00 PM to 5:30 AM I would guess if you put yours on 60 for the day and 64 at supper and back down at night. For the two weeks you are gone I would hit at 55
2007-12-11 11:46:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
65 degrees is where we have always left our setting. If it's drafty just put on more clothes in the house. Our winter gas bill is high enough at that setting.
Turn it off when you will be gone for an extended time. But be aware that if you do that, it will take some time for the house to reheat after you return because the walls, furnishings, everything. will be COLD and have to be warmed-up too. We live in San Francisco where the climate is milder, though.
2007-12-11 11:36:38 · answer #3 · answered by Lynda 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋