Remote Temperature Monitors
We would like to spend a month or so in the south during the coming winter, but are quite concerned about loss of power at our home, or furnace failure--both of which would lead to frozen pipes and lo...
Forum Discussion
Typically, there are a few homes in MN that suffer the fate of what is pictured by dodge guy, every year.
Last year, my BIL and SIL left for a month long trip to Belize. They have a closed hot water system and accessory electric heat coils in baths and kitchens, along with a gas fired space heater in a fireplace opening. Since they are penny-pinchers, they turned everything either off or to the lowest settings. The boiler system failed, either because of a broken pipe or because of a failed heating section. When I arrived on scene, there were multiple hot water system pipes and radiators broken, drains seemed intact but all drains were treated with antifreeze. My wife and I were able to add additional heat and, along with the accessory heaters, slowly drain the heating system and save the toilets/drains. The damage was in excess of $75K. Had we not arrived on scene, the damage would have been well into six figures since drains are set into concrete slabs and tile walls.
My suggestion is to have your heating system inspected, leave some slack in the thermostat settings (don't turn them down to 45f!) and have someone check your home every few days. The additional money spent on overview and heat may save your Winter vacation and a lot of trouble.
Last year, my BIL and SIL left for a month long trip to Belize. They have a closed hot water system and accessory electric heat coils in baths and kitchens, along with a gas fired space heater in a fireplace opening. Since they are penny-pinchers, they turned everything either off or to the lowest settings. The boiler system failed, either because of a broken pipe or because of a failed heating section. When I arrived on scene, there were multiple hot water system pipes and radiators broken, drains seemed intact but all drains were treated with antifreeze. My wife and I were able to add additional heat and, along with the accessory heaters, slowly drain the heating system and save the toilets/drains. The damage was in excess of $75K. Had we not arrived on scene, the damage would have been well into six figures since drains are set into concrete slabs and tile walls.
My suggestion is to have your heating system inspected, leave some slack in the thermostat settings (don't turn them down to 45f!) and have someone check your home every few days. The additional money spent on overview and heat may save your Winter vacation and a lot of trouble.
