When winter hits the borders of Australia, a vast majority of Aussies take off from their work to enjoy vacations in some lovely spot. During the cold months of June to August, every household turns on their heaters to combat the freezing waves of winter. If you are planning to spend your vacation at some lovely tourist spot or are thinking of leaving for your grandparents’ home, you need to consider a few things before leaving.
The most crucial among them is what to do with your heating and electrical equipment. Most people would suggest turning these devices off before leaving, so you can save electricity and gas bills. That being said, the question arises, should you really need to turn off your heater when you go on vacation?
Let’s analyze various aspects to figure out why not to turn off the heat completely:
1) Pipes Freezing
When you leave your home in the freezing weather, you should keep the heater On. The major reason behind this move is to prevent the freezing of pipes. Your house plumbing is mainly protected because of the indoor warmth produced by the heater. When leaving, if you shut off your heater, the freezing pipes may burst, resulting in flooding of the house.
It’s recommended to lower the heat via the thermostat but don’t completely shut it off. It’s unwise to save a few dollars on utility bills but face the plumbing disaster in return.
2) Pets Dying
While leaving for vacation, you might not take all your pets with you. If you turn off the heater, pets might die in the freezing cold of winter. So, to keep them in comfort, it’s mandatory to keep the heat running. You can lower it by several degrees, but completely cutting it off will be a severe move for your beloved pets. 4 to 8 degrees lower heat level would be fine for pets, which will also save you some cash on your next utility bill.
3) Thermostat Setting
While leaving for enjoyment, you might be in a hurry to gather all essentials, but spending a few minutes setting the thermostat will be prudent. If you put the thermostat on temporary hold without considering its duration, it might resume after that period. If it resumed before your arrival, the disaster mentioned above would become inevitable. So, spending a few minutes properly setting the thermostat will not only safeguard your plumbing, but will also keep your lovely pets breathing.
Universally, the thermostat should be set at 55o F at least. Any temperature lower than this limit will damage your pipelines and the whole plumbing mechanism.
The Bottom Line
Leaving for a vacation is always a thrill. No one wants to keep worrying about home while enjoying the vacation. Spending a little on utility bills will safeguard you from potential disaster. Before going, it’s preferable to schedule a maintenance check so chances of potential hazards or any damage can be avoided. If your plans are all set, consider calling your technician to carry out a thorough check of your heating devices, so that you can enjoy hassle-free vacations!