What to set your Thermostat at if you’re Traveling for the Holidays

01 Dec What to set your Thermostat at if you’re Traveling for the Holidays

SERVING AREAS OF BRISTOL, JOHNSON CITY, AND KINGSPORT TN

In 2019, more than 115 million Americans traveled at some point during the holidays. That many people probably won’t be on the road this holiday season due to COVID, but plenty of folks may still be going to visit friends and family. There’s nothing worse than coming back from a long and potentially expensive trip to find a huge energy bill or busted pipes waiting for you. Don’t let this happen to you. Just follow this guide provided by your HVAC experts in Kingsport at Thompson Electrical Service.

What temperature should you set your thermostat at before leaving for the holidays?

If you’re only going to be gone for a few days or less, it’s recommended to adjust your thermostat four degrees lower than usual. That way, the system won’t have to work as hard to catch up when you return. But, if you’re planning an extended stay away, the Department of Energy recommends setting the temperature on your thermostat between 50 and 60 degrees during the winter for a couple of reasons. First, your energy bill will be lower because your heating system will run less in an empty house. Setting your thermostat in this range also will safeguard against your pipes freezing.

There’s no need to run your heating system as normal if the house is going to be empty. Turning down your thermostat means your heating system runs less, uses less energy, and lowers your utility bill for that month.

However, it’s important not to set your thermostat too low. Setting your thermostat under 50 degrees raises the risk of your pipes freezing, even though water freezes at 32 degrees. Why is this? No matter how well-insulated your home might be, some heat will leak outside. The temperature of your home will drop when you’re gone and, if you’ve not set your thermostat at least 50 degrees, the pipes could freeze if there’s an especially cold night while you’re away.

There’s a way to lower your thermostat while traveling and return to a warm home

It’s made possible through the technology of a programmable thermostat. By upgrading to a programmable thermostat, you can create an automated schedule that automatically lowers the temperature in your home when you’re going to be away for an extended period of time. By using this schedule, you also can program the thermostat to raise the temperature to its normal level before you return. Home automation systems make it possible to manage your thermostat through your home, allowing you to make these adjustments while traveling. Temperature control is just one aspect of the advantages of home automation, which can also control your lights, locks, entertainment system, and security services.

Comprehensive Electrician Services in Johnson City

Want to make sure your thermostat is properly functioning before you leave to go over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house this holiday season? Maybe you’re interested in learning more about home automation. These are just some of the services offered at Thompson Electrical Service. Our technicians are fully licensed and insured to perform every aspect of electrical work, including the installation of a programmable thermostat or to repair or maintain your heating and cooling system. To find out more, contact us today at (423) 343-5726.

Thompson Electrical Service is proud to serve residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the areas of Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport in Tennessee.