Taking a vacation is always an exciting time, but before you jet off to your destination, there are a few things you need to do around the house. One of the most important things is setting the thermostat to the right temperature.
You don’t want to come back to a house that’s too hot or too cold, but you also don’t want to waste energy and money by keeping it at your normal temperature. So what should you set your thermostat to while on vacation? Let’s explore some options.
Considerations Before Setting Your Thermostat
Before we dive into specific temperatures, there are a few things you should consider when setting your thermostat for vacation:
- The length of your vacation
- The climate where you live
- The type of thermostat you have
- Your home’s insulation and energy efficiency
Length of Your Vacation
The length of your vacation will play a big role in determining what temperature you should set your thermostat to. If you’re only going to be gone for a weekend, you may want to keep your thermostat at its normal temperature so that it doesn’t take too long to cool down or warm up when you get back. But if you’re going to be gone for a week or more, it makes sense to adjust the temperature so that you’re not wasting energy and money.
Climate Where You Live
The climate where you live will also impact what temperature you should set your thermostat to while on vacation. If it’s the middle of summer and hot outside, you’ll want to set your thermostat higher than if it’s winter and freezing outside. On the other hand, if it’s fall or spring and the weather is mild, you may be able to set your thermostat somewhere in between.
Type of Thermostat
The type of thermostat you have will also impact what temperature you should set it to while on vacation. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it to automatically adjust the temperature while you’re gone. But if you have an older, manual thermostat, you’ll have to adjust it manually before you leave.
Home’s Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Finally, your home’s insulation and energy efficiency will impact how much energy and money you’ll save by adjusting your thermostat while on vacation. If your home is well-insulated and energy-efficient, you may be able to set your thermostat lower or higher than if it’s not.
Recommended Temperatures
So what temperatures should you set your thermostat to while on vacation? Here are some recommended options:
- If it’s summer and hot outside, set your thermostat to 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If it’s winter and cold outside, set your thermostat to 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If it’s fall or spring and mild outside, set your thermostat somewhere in between.
Conclusion
Setting your thermostat to the right temperature while on vacation can help save energy and money without compromising on comfort. Take into account the length of your vacation, the climate where you live, the type of thermostat you have, and your home’s insulation and energy efficiency when deciding what temperature to set it to. By doing so, you can come back from vacation with peace of mind knowing that your house is just as comfortable as when you left it.