Minimum Temperature for a Home in the Winter? | Joyce Cooling (2024)

When traveling for vacation during the winter you should never set your thermostat lower than 50 degrees. This will keep appliances running and pipes from freezing if the temperature gets too low in the home. If you have pipes on the exterior walls, you should opt for a warmer 50 – 60 degrees minimum.

Save Money On Heating Bills When Away, But Prevent Frozen Pipes

A Hudson, NH homeowner was going to be away from home for an extended period during the winter months. Not wanting to pay an exorbitant bill to heat an empty house, she contacted Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. looking for advice. It can be tempting to shut the heat off entirely when away, but doing so can actually wind up costing you more in the long run from damage to the home.

A temperature setting of 40 degrees or lower indoors can cause the pipes to freeze, bursting and cracking. While it is not recommended that the temperature in your home be set below 50 degrees when you are away, keep in mind that the lower the thermostat setting, the greater the risk for frozen pipes and damage to the home.

Pipes On Exterior Walls Require Higher Temperature

Pipes located on external walls of the home are particularly vulnerable to these lower temperature settings. This area tends to have cold air leaking in from the outside. This, in combination with the cooler area in the home, can leave to a catastrophic situation.

The homeowner in Hudson decided to err on the side of caution, setting her thermostat at a cool but safe level of sixty degrees while she is away. This will ensure that when she returns home it won’t be to any surprise damage resulting from frozen pipes.

The post What is the Minimum Temperature Setting for a Home in the Winter? appeared first on Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. – Nashua, NH.