Leaving a House Vacant in Summer
If you are planning to leave a vacant house during the summer months – whether you are going on vacation, or you own a property that you do not use during this season – you may have a lot of questions. Just what temperature is safe for a vacant home? Should you leave on your air conditioning, or can you turn it off to cut down on air conditioning costs? Should you invest in a smart thermostat? What should you do if you are leaving a property vacant for short term? How about long term?
Read on for our best tips on how to safely leave your home vacant in the summer months.
Table of Contents
- Should I Leave on the AC?
- The Right Thermostat Settings
- Making a Vacant Property Energy Efficient
Should I Leave the AC on in a Vacant House in Summer?
Short-term recommendations
If you plan to leave a vacant house for a short period of time (think a week or so), you can set your thermostat to around 85 degrees to keep your home protected.
Long-term recommendations
If you plan to leave a vacant house for a longer period of time, you may not want to leave your air conditioner on. However, be sure to consider other important factors. If you have plants in your home that need to be kept at a certain temperature, you may not want to turn off your air conditioner. You may also have other belongings that need to be temperature controlled, so be sure to keep all of this in mind.
Turning off your air conditioner in the summer months can yield problems such as mold, musty smells and odors, peeling paint, and even warped wooden furniture. So be sure to keep this in mind if you’re tempted to try and save energy by turning off the air conditioning!
The Right Thermostat Settings in Summer
In general, the best temperature to set your thermostat for a vacant house in the summer is at 85 degrees. This will help ensure that things don’t get too hot or humid and cause damage to your home and its contents.
Choosing the Best Place for a Thermostat
Your thermostat should be placed in a room that gets frequent use. This will give you a more accurate temperature reading. It should be placed on an interior wall and it should not be covered by any household items.
Are Smart Thermostats Worth It?
Often you might leave a vacant house and forget to set your thermostat, or you may live far enough away from your vacant property that you don’t want to make a special trip just to adjust your home’s temperature. A great way to circumvent this problem is to install a smart thermostat. This will allow you to control your temperature remotely and with ease, as well as save energy.
Making Vacant Property Energy Efficient
If you are planning to leave a vacant house for an extended period of time, you may also want to consider its energy efficiency, especially if you plan to leave your thermostat on. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your thermostat while leaving a property vacant.
- Close all curtains and blinds
- Turn off the water heater
- Unplug all appliances
- Unplug and defrost your refrigerator
- Use timers or set day/night sensors on lights
FAQs
What temperature is too hot for a house?
The answer to this question really depends on your location and on humidity levels, but you don’t want the temperature of your vacant house to start to climb into the 90s while you are away. At such a high temperature, the heat and humidity can cause damage to your home.
How long can I leave my house vacant during hot weather?
There isn’t really a specific answer to this question. If you can monitor the heat levels in your home, you can leave a vacant house for as long as you want. Having a smart energy system installed that allows you to control temperature remotely is a great option if you plan to leave a home vacant for an extended period of time.
Is 72 degrees a good temperature for heat in the summer?
It may not be necessary to keep your home at 72 degrees. It is recommended that the best temperature to set your thermostat to is 85 degrees if you plan to leave a vacant house in the summer. This temperature should provide a good balance between keeping your belongings safe and helping you save money on your energy bill.
Sources
https://blog.constellation.com/2022/05/09/temperature-empty-house/amp/
https://learnmetrics.com/what-temperature-to-leave-a-vacant-house-in-summer/
https://www.electricrate.com/what-temperature-to-leave-a-vacant-house-in-summer/
https://www.pud3.org/service/energy-efficiency-education/vacationempty-home-energy-tips
