So you’re planning a weeklong trip to a fun location? That’s great! But before you leave the house, you’ll want to answer a big question:
What temperature should you set your thermostat for?
Obviously, there are a number of different factors to consider.
For one, are you going to have any pets at home? If so, you need to make sure that the temperature stays comfortable for them. This means you can’t afford to simply turn off your thermostat.
Next, consider what the weather forecast looks like for the time when you’ll be away. Is it going to be hot and muggy? Wet and cooler? Obviously, you don’t want to come back to a clammy or outrageously humid residence.
Finally, you need to take into consideration whether you want the temperature to fluctuate. For instance, it may make sense for your HVAC system not to work during the overnight hours, but to kick in during the daytime. (This can only be done if you have a programmable thermostat, which we highly recommend getting installed.)
For most homes, keeping a temperature of about 72-75 degrees should do the trick. However, there are homeowners who feel better about leaving the house at 80 degrees, especially if there won’t be any pets at home during the family’s absence.
