What do you set your house heat at when leaving for winter?

Dutch_12078 wrote:

krobbe wrote:

loneryder wrote:
Is everyone using web enabled thermostats or is there another way to do that?

On a low or high temperature, a Sensaphone400 autodialer will call up to 4 phone #'s using a standard phone line. The Sensaphone600Web will send email and/or text messages using an internet connection.
They both go for $355 on Amazon. These autodialers are commonly used by municipalities for cheap remote location alarm annunciation.
It saved my Dad's house last winter when the igniter went bad in his furnace. Called me at 4:00 in the morning on a low temperature. Had it fixed before the temperature dropped below 38F.

We use an AcuRite AcuLink Internet bridge to monitor three remote temperature/humidity sensors at our cottage. The readings are available online with a browser and with an Android or iOS app. Alarm levels can be set for high/low temps and/or humidity, as well as for failed readings or communications. The alerts can be sent by email and/or text. The bridge is about $70 and the remote sensors are about $13 each. The monitoring server access is free.

AcuLink Internet Bridge

That AcuRite looks like a good lower cost solution if there is an internet connection.
But my folks use my Verizon Jetpack and take it with them when they leave. So no internet is available. The Sensaphone400 uses just a standard phone line. We can also call it to query the current temperature. When it calls out on alarm, it will go through up to 4 phone numbers until it is acknowledged using a code like 555#. I haven't seen a lower cost solution for a standard autodialer.

krobbe wrote:

loneryder wrote:
Is everyone using web enabled thermostats or is there another way to do that?

On a low or high temperature, a Sensaphone400 autodialer will call up to 4 phone #'s using a standard phone line. The Sensaphone600Web will send email and/or text messages using an internet connection.
They both go for $355 on Amazon. These autodialers are commonly used by municipalities for cheap remote location alarm annunciation.
It saved my Dad's house last winter when the igniter went bad in his furnace. Called me at 4:00 in the morning on a low temperature. Had it fixed before the temperature dropped below 38F.

We use an AcuRite AcuLink Internet bridge to monitor three remote temperature/humidity sensors at our cottage. The readings are available online with a browser and with an Android or iOS app. Alarm levels can be set for high/low temps and/or humidity, as well as for failed readings or communications. The alerts can be sent by email and/or text. The bridge is about $70 and the remote sensors are about $13 each. The monitoring server access is free.

AcuLink Internet Bridge

Don't forget to open the fridge door

We do the same thing. Electric heat was 250 a month the first year. Our neighbor winterized and checks. He gets 100 and fish and shrimp when we get home.

loneryder wrote:
This will be my first time SB ing and I was thinking about what to leave the heat set at when gone. I was thinking leaving the heat pump at 50-55. Water and everything else will be off and unplugged. House is on a standby generator.

My In-Laws were Winter Texans for many years and turned their heat completely off. They blew out the water lines, put anti freeze in the traps, took everything out that could freeze and burst and turned off the power. They never had any damage due to lack of heat. When we retire in a few years that's what I intend to do as well with the exception of leaving on the power for security lighting. Our power company is so unpredictable we wouldn't dare leave the home without winterizing it.

Back home overnight and this morning they are having some interesting weather (a mix of snow and freezing rain!).

With the web enabled thermostat and a service (InThrMa) I'm able to look minute by minute at what's happening. There were a number of short term internet or power outages and a longer one (about an hour) that probably drained my battery back up on the electronics, but the temperature didn't go low enough to trigger an alarm.

It gives me peace of mind when we are on the road for extended periods.

service provider

loneryder wrote:
Is everyone using web enabled thermostats or is there another way to do that?

On a low or high temperature, a Sensaphone400 autodialer will call up to 4 phone #'s using a standard phone line. The Sensaphone600Web will send email and/or text messages using an internet connection.
They both go for $355 on Amazon. These autodialers are commonly used by municipalities for cheap remote location alarm annunciation.
It saved my Dad's house last winter when the igniter went bad in his furnace. Called me at 4:00 in the morning on a low temperature. Had it fixed before the temperature dropped below 38F.

I shut the water off and then release the pressure by temporarily opening a faucet. The furnace is set to 54F, the lowest setting and put it on "hold". Should the electricity go off and the back-up battery fail, the thermostat defaults to 62F. I also have a monitor that will auto dial should the electricity be off for 15 minutes or the temperature fall below 45F. I also have a friend who checks on the house 2-3 times a week. So far, so good. Hope this helps.

loneryder wrote:
Is everyone using web enabled thermostats or is there another way to do that?

Would be nice, but I have electric baseboard heat. Don't think they make them for that.

I turn off the water and drain all the pipes. I then leave the heat on in the basement at 50f to ensure the foundation does not get pushed in by deep frost. This only happens in extreme cold areas like I have.

I also set up web camera's in some of the rooms. I have large analog thermometers I can look at from those cameras if I want to verify the heat is still what I expect. If not, neighbors have keys and are only a phone call away.

Always shut off the water and drain if you can. And, check your homeowners insurance. Most will not cover the damage from frozen pipes when the house is vacant.