Minimum thermostat temperature to prevent pipes from freezing in winter? (how much, houses)
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What's the lowest temperature the thermostat should be to prevent pipes from freezing? If we leave town, the lowest we put it is 50 degrees.
50 is a good starting point. I wouldn't go any lower.
Quote:
Originally Posted by newenglandgal123
Is it really worth the risk of potentially thousands in damage to your home versus spending a little to keep the heat on when you're away, even if it is a bit higher than necessary, so you don't have to even chance a frozen pipe issue?
With the price of heating fuel, is it really worth wasting money to unnecessarily heat a vacant house beyond what is necessary?
I had a place that had one pipe up against the exterior in the crawlspace, uninsulated. No matter what the interior temperature was set at, when it got below -10f, that pipe froze. Then we found it and insulated it.
Just to be safe, I usually set it at 60 when I'm away. In the Northeast and Upper Midwest, I feel like this is a "safe" temperature. As some others have said, I'd personally pay a little more to prevent the unfortunate alternative. Setting it at 60 shouldn't drive up the cost too much.
My house has been empty most winters since I’ve owned it. I replaced all the plumbing with PEX when I remodeled and the forced hot water heat is PEX with antifreeze. My winter shutdown is to turn off the water, turn off the gas feed on the water heater, flush the toilet, RV antifreeze (methanol) in the toilet and sink/shower P traps. Thermostat in the zone for the bedrooms off completely and the doors closed. The rest at 50F.
Now, if the house is unattended for a few weeks, I do everything but the antifreeze. I added a gas fireplace insert so I have backup heat and it has battery backup for the igniter. I set that at 45F.
I believe 55 is the temp that most folks generally recommend as a min temp to set.
It's not just pipes that you need to consider. Large temp swings can cause building materials to contract and that might possibly lead to cracks in drywall and such. There are other factors that go into play with this (humidity) but it's a potential risk
I have all my smart t-stat's "eco" setting set to 55 as a min temp. If we go away for a weekend that's what our house drops to.
I use wood for my primary heat. Oil is my backup but i haven't needed much of it for years. I keep my thermostats at 55 but the house is always above 70 due to the wood heat. For the rare moments that we are away for many days I set my thermostat to 60 and give the oil some exercise Lol.
I'd think 50 would be fine but I sleep better at night knowing it is at 60.
One time my ex and I went to Florida and left the thermostat at 50. A cold wave hit while we were away and his parents came to our house and turned the thermostat to 55. I had always heard 50F but maybe it was better to be on the safe side. We always left the kitchen faucet running a little bit, if that does any good.
It's going to depend on a number of factors. Placement of the pipes. Insulation. Heated/finished basement, efficiency of the boiler (more efficient tends to lose less heat). Any crawl space under a garage/addition, etc.? I'd say at "least" 55 to be on the safe side.
Ever heard the phrase penny wise and pound foolish?
Good one. Just basing my recommendations on decades of owning properties throughout this area.
Go complain about your neighbors leaves.
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