In Canada, there are unique challenges and hazards associated with leaving a house unoccupied for an extended period of extreme cold. Therefore, homeowners need to take precautions to prevent damage to their property that could result in expensive repairs and higher energy costs. Maintaining an ideal interior temperature to avoid frozen pipes during a weeks-long vacation is one of the top priorities for homeowners. Wondering at what temperature to leave vacant house in winter? Come learn why it's crucial to winterize your vacant house for the severe Canadian winters with the Home Aire Care team. Continue reading for more details!
What is the best temperature for an empty house in the winter?
For your Canadian vacant house, it's crucial to set the right temperature inside during the winter while you're away. To balance energy usage and avoid freezing pipes, the optimal temperature range is often between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius.
However, even while you're gone on vacation for an extended amount of time, there are a few things that will ultimately affect what you set your thermostat to, given the unique qualities of your home and the area you live in. Here is a closer look at what you need to keep in mind:
The local climate conditions
When choosing how to set your thermostat, the local climate in your location matters a lot. In contrast to locations that receive mild winter temperatures, regions with colder winters require somewhat higher temperatures to prevent the extreme cold from causing damage.
Your house insulation quality
The ideal temperature for your house will also depend on how much insulation your property has. An empty home with energy-efficient windows, tight sealing, and quality insulation materials is typically okay with a temperature setting that is on the lower end of the recommended range.
Effects of different thermostat temperature settings: low and high
An excessively low temperature can lead to frozen pipes in your water supply, which can break and require expensive repairs. On the other hand, the drawbacks of high temperatures include the needless use of energy to maintain a temperature higher than needed, which raises energy costs while you're on vacation. As such, the key, as we mentioned earlier, is to find the right balance between your thermostat settings and overall energy consumption.
No matter how long they plan to be gone, homeowners are going to want to get their houses ready for their absence. However, because each home is different, we suggest reaching out to a local HVAC and plumbing company like Home Aire Care. Our team of professional plumbers and certified HVAC technicians can help build a customized preparedness plan based on the amount of time you’ll be away, the characteristics of your home, and your energy efficiency goals. We can also offer tips and tricks that can help you stay prepared no matter what the winter weather has in store.
How to Prepare Your Home Before Going on Vacation
There's nothing worse than returning home from your vacation to find damage around your home that could otherwise be prevented. As such, preparing your vacant house for winter is essential to avoid losses and ensure everything operates well when you get back. Here's a closer look at the steps you can take to ensure your property remains intact:
Insulate pipes
- Water expands as it freezes, which can cause your water supply to burst. To avoid this, apply thermal tape or foam insulation to the uncovered pipes outside.
- Make sure the pipes in your home's unheated areas, such as the crawl space or basement, are adequately insulated as well.
- Disconnect and empty outdoor hoses, toilet tanks, and other aspects of your water supply to avoid frozen pipes.
Stop drafts
- Examine your windows and doors for any gaps or cracks.
- Apply weatherstripping or sealant to close any gaps that could allow heat to escape from your interior.
- Check the condition of the insulation in places like your attic and basement to make sure there isn't a great deal of heat loss in these areas as well. This will help you maintain your energy efficiency and reduce your energy bills.
Heating system maintenance
- Make an appointment for expert heating system maintenance before the winter season begins with a professional HVAC technician like the ones from Home Aire Care!
- Have an expert examine and clean your heating system, as well as replace any filters, lubricate parts, set your thermostat, and more to ensure it is running at peak efficiency.
- Additionally, if you don't have one already, a certified technician can install a programmable thermostat, sometimes referred to as a smart thermostat, which lets you manage the inside temperature of your house while you're away for greater peace of mind.
House security systems
- Inform trustworthy neighbours of your upcoming vacation and provide your contact information in case they need to notify you of anything pressing.
- Set timers for the lights to create the appearance that someone is home to ward off potential break-ins.
- If you want to be able to monitor and control your property using a smart device when you're away from home, consider investing in smart home security systems as well.
Call Home Aire Care for Customized Solutions When Winterizing Your Home
Home Aire Care is your one-stop shop for all HVAC and plumbing needs. Whether you need maintenance, repairs, or a new HVAC unit installed for your house, you can rely on our licensed HVAC technicians for customized solutions. In addition, our skilled plumbers can do installations, maintenance, and repairs to guarantee that your house's water supply is adequately protected during the wintertime.
We're available for repair and maintenance services around the clock, 365 days a year, including weekends, holidays, and after-hours, at no extra charge to you. Emergency repairs can also be completed on the same day.
Home Aire Care proudly operates throughout Kingston, Belleville, Brockville, Colborne, Quinte West, Trenton, Cobourg, Port Hope, and the surrounding communities. Book your winterizing appointment with our crew today!
