WHAT HOUSE TEMP

I purchased a Honeywell thermostat ($150C at Home Depot)that connects to the web via my home network and can be remotely monitored and set. It uses a browser, or an app (Android or IOS). I set the thermostat at 55 and check it while we are away. You can also set threshold temperatures and it will email you if the temperature goes above or below the threshold or if power is lost. I was originally motivated by the ability to turn on the heat or AC several hours before we got home but it is also reassuring to be able to monitor the actual temperature in the house. You can use it for heat, cooling or to turn on the furnace fan for ventilation. There are several other makes of thermostats that can do the same thing.

Since we heat our cottage all winter, we installed a freeze alarm. The temp is turned to 10C or 50F. This gives time if we have a power failure for a neighbour to check. They can also call the furnace repair if necessary. All water is turned off, but not drained. We can also call the freeze alarm to monitor the temperature. I turned off the feature where it calls us to avoid needless long distance calls over a minor battery problem etc. Works great.

The answer may depend on how long it may take the temp to go from the thermostat set point to the freezing mark and if that time is longer than your average power failure length in your area. Those of us that had responsibilities for large facilities around Y2K did those calculations/estimates.

For us, we set the temp at 10C and our web enabled thermostat sends an E-mail to us and our house sitter if the temp drops below that level, it's also set up to E-mail us if there is no connectivity with the TStat (i.e.: a long power failure). We turn off the water but don't drain the lines as we have a basement which will keep the water lines warmer since most of them are located there. We also set up an arrangement with our furnace maintenance people to respond to our house sitter's call if we have a furnace problem. We are lucky to have a natural gas furnace which is simpler than other furnace types.

I set mine at 45. I have a freeze alarm that will notify me if temperature drops below 40 or if power is lost. Also recommend opening kitchen sink cabinet doors if the sick is on an outside wall. I can also call my alarm and it will give the current temperature in the house and outside the house. I usually call every day and watch for unusual temperature trends.

We set ours on 80 and set the humidistat at 65 never had a problem.

8, though last winter was set at 6 because we weren't sure there would be enough oil to make it through the winter at 8. (there was)

55F when we leave here. That way if there's a temporary power outage (which
happens frequently) it gives a little time before things get really cold inside.

55 degrees F. Shut off main water valve and turn off Water Heater. Set the alarm system turn on the timers for several inside lights plus the `fake TV device'. Cancel newspaper and deal with the mail somehow.

We just bought a house (S/B, last spring. The Realtor had set the temp down to the low 50's. Water was turned off, but the pipes didn't freeze, fortunately. I think part of your solution will be your location and how well the house is built.

We set ours at 50 and turn off the water & drain the pipes, RV antifreeze in the traps & toilets. But then our furnace is about 30 years old.