Question for Snowbirds

[montanaman]

Wondering if you leave your heat on when you travel South for the Winter. Some folks say the winterize their home and shut off their heat but other say they leave the heat on at a lower temp. Wondering if we have our home winterized (pipes drained, etc. etc) and than decide to have the heat turned off what it will do to the drywall. thanks.

[jrgwdenner]

In the northern states you must leave your heat on inside the house or your plumbing might freeze. In the south we also leave our heat on at around 55 so our pipes (which aren't always as insulated as places up North) won't freeze during a cold snap.

[Ozzie]

If I recall correctly from my days as a Realtor...pressurised water freezes at 52 degrees, so if you don't winterise your stick home, jrgwdenner would be correct.
Even then, you would either need a monitoring device, or a neighbor to check on your home. I would opt to draining the waterlines (don't forget the toilet)and turning off the water main coming into the house personally. If you have a full foundation, your main will not freeze as it's largely below ground level.
Don't forget antifreeze in the traps as well...then you won't have to worry...

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Frank, seems we have this question going in two different areas of the forum, might want to check this thread where several of us have answered your question.

http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17986

[faeb and genb]

We leave our heat on low & we have our niece to check the house evaery couple weeks.
Gene

[M00N1]

We leave our heat on around 55 degrees and our son checks the house, however, someone told us this week to turn off the water to the washer and dishwasher, just in case. I thought that was a good idea. When the heat is that low, the plants only need to be watered once every two weeks as well. I put them all in one room where they get the afternoon sunlight and they do fine.

[Ronnelly]

We live in Anchorage, Alaska and leave our heat, Natural Gas, on around 65. Turn the water heater to vacation.If we had forced air heat, we would leave the heat at a lower temperature. We also turn the water off to the washer and dishwasher.Stop papers, cable, etc. Leave lights on timers. I don't have house plants any more. We have gone south during the coldest time and have not had any problems.

quote:Originally posted by montanaman

Wondering if you leave your heat on when you travel South for the Winter. Some folks say the winterize their home and shut off their heat but other say they leave the heat on at a lower temp. Wondering if we have our home winterized (pipes drained, etc. etc) and than decide to have the heat turned off what it will do to the drywall. thanks.

[vickster]

We have an all electric home, with lots and lots of insulation. We leave the heat set at about 50 degrees, turn off hot water heater and open cabinet doors under sink. Family members check property weekly and remove snow from driveway as needed. We have a good family (and send them a post card now and then!!!).