What Temperature to Leave a Vacant House in Winter

Insurers don’t cover damage from negligence, so it’s important to complete home maintenance tasks, including setting your thermostat, before leaving your home vacant during the winter.

Katie Powers
Written byKatie Powers
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Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor
  • Licensed auto and home insurance agent

  • 3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing

Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.

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Ashley Cox
Edited byAshley Cox
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Ashley CoxSenior Managing Editor
  • 7+ years in content creation and management

  • 5+ years in insurance and personal finance content

Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.

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Updated December 9, 2024

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Most professionals and insurers recommend setting your thermostat to between 55 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re away from your home during the winter. Heating isn’t just to keep you warm — it keeps your pipes from getting too cold and bursting, causing water damage to your home.[1]

Here’s what you should know about energy-saving tips and the most important preventative maintenance measures to take before leaving for a vacation or an extended absence to prevent damage to your property in the winter.

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The temperature you should leave your house in the winter

Depending on your climate, you should set the temperature in your house to between 55F and 60F during the winter. You should also change the battery in your thermostat if you’ll be away from your home for a while.

It’s crucial to keep the heat on in your house during the winter to prevent frozen or burst pipes, which can cause flooding, mold development, and more. You should also winterize your home before leaving it for an extended period of time, as homeowners insurance won’t cover wear and tear or damage from neglect.[2]

Learn More: 30 Seasonal Home Maintenance Tasks to Add to Your Personal Checklist

Learn More: 30 Seasonal Home Maintenance Tasks to Add to Your Personal Checklist

What happens if you don’t set the proper temperature when you leave your house

Turning off the heat in your home during the winter makes your house vulnerable to several major risks, like frozen and burst pipes. Insurance companies often won’t cover damage caused by homeowner negligence, so it’s important to take precautions before leaving your home to make sure you don’t return home to damages you could’ve prevented with proper home maintenance.

Learn more about the common damages that can occur to your home if you don’t set the heat at the proper temperature during the winter.

Frozen pipes

The water in your pipes begins to freeze and expand when it gets cold, causing pressure to build up on the pipe wall. Pipes can eventually burst after too much pressure, resulting in costly water damage and repairs.

Pipes in unheated areas or along exterior walls are at the highest risk — more so than pipes on an interior wall. Unfreezing pipes on your own can be tricky and tedious, so be sure to keep the heat on.[3]

Burst pipes

Pressure within your pipes from freezing water can cause your pipes to burst, crack, or leak. The resulting flow of water can cause significant damage to your home since no one will be there to detect the leak and turn off the main water valve. Pipes are more susceptible to bursting in cold weather, so make sure to keep your heat on, even when you’re not home.

Flooring damage

Water damage to your flooring can be severe and costly. Hardwood and laminate flooring are especially porous, and water pockets can develop underneath vinyl flooring. While you can cover warped flooring with a rug, if you’re not around to properly dry your floor after the damage, mold could develop.

Mold damage

Mold typically doesn’t grow without moisture, but if mold spores land on a wet surface, it can begin growing indoors. Mold can cause allergies and irritation and even produce toxic substances. You may notice respiratory problems if there’s mold in your home.[4]

While you can fix mold damage, it can be nearly impossible to clean mold from absorbent materials like carpeting or flooring, which are expensive to replace. The national average cost to replace hardwood flooring is between $6 and $12 per square foot, according to Angi.[5]

While it may cost a little extra to keep your home heated while you’re away, keeping warm air circulating through your home reduces the risk of water damage and can prevent a much more costly repair bill. You can set your thermostat to a lower temperature while you’re gone, but you should never turn your heat off completely for an extended period of time during the winter.

How to prepare your home before leaving for the winter

It’s important to winterize your home to withstand the colder months while you’re away so you don’t return to unnecessary damages and repair costs. Preparing for winter storms and the season’s low temperatures can help protect your home.

Whether you’re a snowbird headed for warmer temperatures or just taking a winter business trip, you should take the following steps to protect your vacant home during the winter:

  1. Set your thermostat. Set your thermostat to a minimum of 55F to keep your pipes from freezing and potentially bursting. Decide on the right winter thermostat setting for your needs.

  2. Insulate your pipes. Use insulation products, such as heat tape, to insulate your water pipes — especially those located along outer walls or in unheated areas like the attic and garage.

  3. Turn off the water. Turn off the water supply from the main valve and open all faucets to drain any remaining water.[6] Drain your toilets completely and pour biodegradable antifreeze into toilets and sinks. You should also turn off the water heater. If you drain the water heater, make sure you also turn off the gas or electricity source. Drain your exterior pipes and sprinkler system as well.

  4. Cover air vents and open your cabinet doors. Cover or close vents located along your foundation to prevent cold air from damaging pipes in exposed areas. Keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open so warm air can circulate around your pipes.

  5. Take out the trash. Clean your home thoroughly before vacating, and remove all trash to prevent pests from taking residence. You may want to unplug appliances like refrigerators and freezers — and clean them out as well — if you’ll be gone for a very long time.

  6. Clean your chimney and clear your gutters. Clear your gutters to prevent frozen debris from creating an ice dam. You should also clean your chimney, inspect it for nests, and close the damper.

  7. Secure your home. Repair leaky windows and doors with tape or caulk to keep cold air out. Ensure all windows and doors are securely locked to prevent a break-in. Consider installing an alarm system and moving valuables to a secure off-site location.[7]

Helpful Tip

Allow cold water to trickle from the faucet that’s farthest from the main valve and keep kitchen and bathroom cabinets open so warm air can circulate.

How to decrease energy use while away in winter

Though you’ll likely want to reduce your energy consumption while away from your home during the winter, you shouldn’t count on doing that by turning off your heat entirely. Keeping your heat between 55F and 60F will keep your pipes from freezing and save on your energy usage, which can also prevent higher energy bills. The best temperature setting will depend on the climate where your home is.

If you’re leaving an empty home for an extended period of time, here are a few additional tips for reducing your heating bill:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/b023eca242/renewable-energy-96x96-green_037-smartphone.svg

    Get a smart thermostat

    Installing an Energy Star smart thermostat saves homeowners an average of 8% on their home energy costs.[8] Smart thermostats can automatically adjust the inside temperature to temperature changes outside when you’re not home. You can also check and make adjustments from afar — most smart digital thermostats come with a mobile app.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/59f0e4ac83/types-of-houses-96x96-yellow_029-mansion.svg

    Cover your windows

    Seal your windows with a plastic sheet or film taped to the interior of your windows. Consider installing insulating window coverings to keep out the cold if it still feels drafty.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/2c500fdca3/accidental-discharge-of-water.svg

    Locate and fix leaks

    Look for air leaks around doors and windows and apply caulk or weatherstripping. Use foam sealant for larger gaps. Caulk and seal leaks where your pipes and electrical wiring enter the home. Seal leaks around chimneys, furnaces, and water heater vents using sheet metal or furnace cement caulk.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/44184f94a4/renewable-energy-96x96-orange_017-gas.svg

    Maintain your heating systems

    Be sure to schedule routine cleaning and servicing of your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system and replace the filters for your furnace or heat pump as often as needed. If you have a wood- or pellet-burning heater, keep the flue vent and the inside of the appliance clean.[9]

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What to know about vacant home insurance

Most home insurance companies won’t provide coverage if you’ve left your home unoccupied for more than 30 days. Check your home insurance contract for the exact details. Some insurers will grant a vacancy permit if you request one, but your coverage still won’t extend to common hazards and risks inherent to an unoccupied home, like theft and water damage.[10]

If you’ll be on vacation, working abroad, or otherwise displaced from your home for longer than 30 days, it’s a good idea to get unoccupied or vacant home insurance. Your insurer may offer an endorsement to your regular home insurance policy, or you may need to purchase separate coverage.

Be sure to compare home insurance quotes if you need a new policy. Some insurers may distinguish between an unoccupied and vacant home and may charge more for or decline to insure a vacant home (a home that has the utilities turned off and belongings removed).

Winter house temperature FAQs

When preparing your home before a winter getaway, you have a lot to keep in mind, including your home’s temperature and the opportunity for energy savings. The following information can help answer your remaining questions about the best thermostat settings for the winter and home maintenance for an empty house.

  • What are the risks of setting the heat too low when you’re not home?

    The biggest risk of not keeping your home warm enough when you’re away from your house is frozen pipes. As pressure builds up, these frozen pipes can burst and cause damage to your home, including flooding and mold. Depending on how extensive the damage is, this can lead to thousands of dollars in repair costs.

  • How do you insulate an old house?

    Schedule a whole-house energy assessment or look for vulnerable areas yourself. Caulk and seal around windows and doors as needed, and insulate unfinished spaces and exterior walls. Insulating window coverings can help keep the cold out as well.

    For more details on ways to insulate your house, see Energy.gov’s insulation guide for existing homes. Insulating your home well keeps outdoor temperatures out, prevents heat loss, and lets your heating system work with maximum efficiency and use less energy.

  • What is the best smart thermostat?

    The best smart thermostat for you depends on your budget and the features you want. That said, top review sites like Wirecutter, CNET, and Tom’s Guide mention the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, and the Amazon Smart Thermostat as some of the best options.

    Having a programmable thermostat can help you keep your home at the optimal temperature while you’re away. This temperature will look different than the higher temperature you’ll set when you’re home with your family during the wintertime.

  • Should you leave the heating on in an empty house in winter?

    Yes. A good rule of thumb is to set your thermostat to between 55F and 60F when you’re away during the winter season to prevent frozen and burst pipes. Programming the temperature setting lower than the normal setting you would use if you were staying in the home can save you money on heating costs while away.

Sources

  1. State Farm. "How to protect your home while south for winter vacation."
  2. National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "A Consumer's Guide to Home Insurance."
  3. American Red Cross. "Preventing & Thawing Frozen Pipes."
  4. United States Environmental Protection Agency. "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home."
  5. Angi. "How Much Does Installing Hardwood Floors Cost?."
  6. Bear Valley Water District. "Winterization and Tips to Prevent Water Damage."
  7. Travelers. "Snowbirds: How to Winterize Your Home While You're Away."
  8. Energy Star. "ENERGY STAR Smart Thermostats FAQs for EEPS."
  9. Energy.gov. "Fall and Winter Energy-Saving Tips."
  10. Insurance Information Institute. "A Vacant Home Still Needs Insurance - Don't Be Caught Without Coverage."
Katie Powers
Katie PowersAuto and Life Insurance Editor

Katie Powers is an insurance writer at Insurify with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts and expertise in personal finance and auto insurance topics. She strives to help consumers make better financial decisions. Prior to joining Insurify, she completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Emerson College. Her work has been published in St. Louis Magazine, the Boston Globe, and elsewhere. Connect with Katie on LinkedIn.

Ashley Cox
Edited byAshley CoxSenior Managing Editor
Headshot of Managing Editor Ashley Cox
Ashley CoxSenior Managing Editor
  • 7+ years in content creation and management

  • 5+ years in insurance and personal finance content

Ashley is a seasoned personal finance editor who’s produced a variety of digital content, including insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and consumer lending products.

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