Summerizing the S&B

Set your air conditioner at 85 deg or so. Your bill should only be $20/m or around there. Leave your refrigerator on with some bottled water or cans of pop for the cold to zero in on. It's harder on them if you turn it off. Turn off ice maker. Turn off all water. Turn off water heater. Notify local police that you will be leaving for months so they can check the house occasionally. Most areas do this service. Cancel your newspaper.

The very best thing you could do is to have someone you can trust to come in once a month and run the dishwasher, garbage disposal, showers to keep the traps full, sinks for same reason. Perhaps your realtor could recommend someone.

2gypsies,
Thanks,we probably would not have thought about the bottled water in the fridge,nor the icemaker.
This S&B living is "new again" for us,we'll have a few things to "relearn".

We do all the things 2gypsies suggested. In addition, we cover the toilets with plastic wrap. Lift up toilet seat, seal bowl with plastic wrap, put down seat and lid. We have very little evaporation with this method. Never had a problem with traps (for smell or what?), though I've heard people suggest running the water. Though one can't run the water if the water is turned off.

If you use cable for TV and/or internet, check to see if they have a vacation hold. But watch out if you're on a special package price. Ask questions.

An alternative to putting plastic wrap on the commodes is using RV antifreeze in the traps. It won't evaporate, and will give an adequate seal.

If the above advice is followed (setting the A/C to 85), dealing with water evaporation, shutting off the gas and water, then the main problem will be security.

There are places that sell security shutters for the windows and door (both are operable from the inside so it won't cause issues in case of a fire.) I'd look at that, a reinforced front door with a high security lock (lock bumping is surprisingly common), a double-sided deadbolt for the lock between the house and garage (I like the lockable/removable thumbturn type), and disabling the garage door opener, using a manual lock with that.

A monitored alarm system goes without saying, maybe even a CCTV setup.

If worried about valuables, there are places in the OP's area who will set up a file room with a stout door (not really a vault) so one can stash computers, clothing, and other stuff in there, keep that area climate controlled, and well resistant to burglars.

Finally, don't forget to have someone come out and do outside housework once in a while. There isn't the need to worry about mowing a lawn in Arizona, but having someone drop by, pick up flyers stuck on the door, is a good thing.

You can use RV antifreeze in the traps it evaporates slower than water. Also look into the product simplisafe this is a company that offers a number of home security and monitoring products. You can set temperature and water alarms and any number of security features that will alert you on your phone.