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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteFor a typical U.S. home left empty during winter holidays, leave the heat on and set the thermostat to at least 55°F. That is a commonly recommended minimum for reducing frozen-pipe risk, but it is not a guarantee. Exposed plumbing, poor insulation, severe cold, and heating-system problems may call for a higher setting and additional safeguards.
Set the heat to at least 55°F during a typical winter holiday absence
If your home will be empty during cold weather, leave the heating system running and set the thermostat to no lower than 55°F. The American Red Cross and Travelers both identify 55°F as a common minimum for reducing the risk of frozen pipes.
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That number is a protective minimum, not a guarantee. Plumbing in exterior walls, crawl spaces, attics, garages, basements, and other unheated areas may be exposed to temperatures well below the thermostat reading. Set the thermostat higher if your home has exposed plumbing, weak insulation, a history of frozen pipes, an older or unreliable heating system, or an unusually severe forecast.
Why you should not turn the heat off
Turning the heat off is not the default recommendation for an occupied-looking home left vacant in winter. The Red Cross advises leaving the heat on at no lower than 55°F during cold-weather travel, and Travelers likewise recommends continuous heat during a winter absence.
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When indoor temperatures fall below freezing in vulnerable areas, water inside a pipe can freeze and expand. The pipe may burst immediately or remain damaged until it thaws. The resulting water release can cause substantial damage after the heating system warms the home again.
Do not assume that every thermostat’s Off setting includes freeze protection. Google Nest, for example, documents safety-temperature behavior for certain vacation and Off-mode configurations. That is a product-specific feature—not a rule that applies to every thermostat labeled “Off.” Check your thermostat and HVAC documentation before relying on it.
When 55°F is not enough
The thermostat measures air near the thermostat, not the temperature at every pipe. Consider a higher setting and additional precautions when:
- water lines run through exterior walls, garages, crawl spaces, attics, or poorly insulated areas;
- the property is in a particularly cold climate or a severe freeze is forecast;
- the home has drafts, inadequate insulation, or known cold spots;
- the furnace, boiler, heat pump, fuel supply, or electrical service is unreliable;
- the home has previously experienced frozen or burst pipes; or
- you cannot arrange any inspection or remote temperature monitoring.
Open interior doors to improve air circulation. Where appropriate, open cabinet doors beneath sinks so warmer room air can reach plumbing. Do not do this if it would expose children, pets, or anyone with access to harmful chemicals stored in the cabinet.
Energy savings versus freeze protection
The U.S. Department of Energy says lowering a thermostat by 7–10°F for eight hours a day can reduce energy use. That guidance is useful for ordinary sleep or workday setbacks, but it should not be interpreted as permission to lower a winter-vacant home below its freeze-protection minimum.
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- SAVE ABOUT 23% ON HVAC ENERGY*: The ENERGY STAR-certified Sensi smart thermostat can help you save energy with features like flexible scheduling, remote access and usage reports
- SIMPLE CONFIGURATION: Looks and feels like a thermostat. Has buttons and fits the same space as a traditional thermostat so you don’t have to patch and paint your walls
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| Situation | Practical approach |
|---|---|
| Occupied home or normal daily absence | A 7–10°F setback may be an energy-saving option when compatible with the HVAC system. |
| Winter holiday absence | Keep the heat on at at least 55°F, then increase the setting for the home’s plumbing and weather risk. |
| Professionally winterized vacant property | A different procedure may be possible, but it can involve shutting off water, draining plumbing, configuring the heating system, and protecting fire-sprinkler systems. Follow professional and insurer-specific guidance. |
Heat-pump owners need a separate plan
Do not apply traditional furnace advice automatically to a heat pump. The Department of Energy notes that programmable thermostats have not generally been recommended for heat-pump systems, although newer thermostats and control strategies may make setbacks practical in some installations.
For a heat pump, follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommendations or use a thermostat specifically designed and approved for that system. Account for auxiliary or emergency heat, outdoor-temperature controls, wiring, and the system’s recovery behavior. The available guidance does not support one universal heat-pump vacation temperature.
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If the holiday absence is during hot weather
The 55°F recommendation applies to winter freeze protection; it is not a summer setting. During a hot-weather absence, the appropriate cooling temperature depends on local climate, indoor humidity, pets, plants, building materials, and the risk of mold or heat-sensitive damage.
ENERGY STAR materials use a cooling setting above 78°F as an example energy-saving starting point. Treat that as a starting point rather than a universal vacation rule. Homes in hot, humid climates may need more cooling or dehumidification to protect the building, while a home with pets may require a different limit. A smart thermostat’s humidity readings and high-temperature alerts can be useful, but they do not replace a plan for someone to respond.
Holiday departure checklist
- Set the winter thermostat to at least 55°F. Raise it when plumbing is exposed or the forecast is unusually cold.
- Test the heating system before leaving. Confirm that it starts, reaches the setpoint, and does not display an error. For fuel-burning systems, make sure fuel arrangements will cover the full absence.
- Improve circulation around vulnerable plumbing. Open relevant interior doors and sink cabinets when safe. Insulate exposed pipes where appropriate.
- Decide whether the main water supply should be shut off. For an extended absence, ask a qualified professional about the correct procedure. Do not shut off water supplying a fire-sprinkler system, and do not assume that shutting off the main supply alone winterizes the plumbing.
- Add low-temperature monitoring. A low-temperature sensor connected to a monitored alarm system or smartphone can warn you when the house becomes dangerously cold.
- Consider water-leak or water-flow monitoring. These systems can provide another warning layer if a pipe bursts, but they do not prevent freezing or guarantee that damage will be avoided. They must have power, connectivity, correct placement, and a person who can respond.
- Protect especially exposed pipes conditionally. Pipe sleeves may help reduce heat loss. Thermostatically controlled, UL-listed heat tape may be appropriate in some locations, but it must be selected and installed according to the product instructions. Take particular care with plastic piping and never improvise electrical heating solutions.
- Give a trusted person access and instructions. Provide the thermostat settings, main water-shutoff location, HVAC contractor or utility contact, alarm information, and instructions for responding to a low-temperature alert.
- Arrange checks for longer absences. Periodic inspection is especially valuable for older equipment, remote properties, unreliable power, fuel-delivery concerns, and severe weather. There is no universal inspection interval; choose one appropriate to the property and forecast.
Is a smart thermostat worth using while you are away?
A smart thermostat with vacation mode can be useful when your existing thermostat lacks a reliable vacation hold, remote control, or automatic away mode. Official documentation for Google Nest, ecobee, and Amazon/Alexa describes features such as Eco or Away behavior, vacation events, temporary overrides, start and end dates, and automatic resumption of a normal schedule.
These controls can help you verify the indoor temperature remotely and receive alerts, but they do not make a risky setting safe. Before buying or installing one, verify:
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- COMMON WIRE REQUIREMENTS: Common wire(C-Wire) required for heat pump and heat/cool only systems. C-wire not required on most systems
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- compatibility with your furnace, boiler, heat pump, or dual-fuel system;
- whether auxiliary or emergency heat is supported;
- wiring requirements, including whether a common wire or power accessory is needed;
- internet, app, and power requirements;
- how its Eco, Away, Vacation, and Off modes handle minimum safety temperatures; and
- whether professional installation is required or advisable.
No thermostat works with every HVAC system. If the system is unusual, old, or difficult to identify, confirm compatibility with the manufacturer or a qualified HVAC professional before installation.
Additional monitoring and pipe protection
A low-temperature or freeze sensor is particularly useful for second homes, older houses, cold climates, and properties with plumbing in unheated or exterior areas. A water-leak detector or water-flow monitor can alert you to a burst pipe or unusual water use. Both are warning systems, not guarantees, and should be paired with dependable heat and a response plan.
Pipe insulation sleeves and thermostatically controlled heat tape are situational products rather than universal fixes. They can be helpful on correctly identified exposed pipes, but improper selection or installation can leave a pipe vulnerable or create a fire and electrical hazard. Follow the product instructions and obtain professional guidance where necessary.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check before you leave
Review the weather forecast, the HVAC manual, and any applicable home-insurance requirements before departure. Insurance policies and local rules vary; do not assume that a policy universally requires 55°F or that an insurer will automatically deny a claim because a thermostat was set below that number. Ask your insurer about the actual wording that applies to your property.
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For a normal U.S. home left empty during winter holidays, the defensible starting point is simple: leave the heat on and set it to at least 55°F. Adjust upward for the home’s cold spots and risk, monitor temperature when practical, and arrange a person who can respond if the heat fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I set my thermostat to when leaving for the holidays?
For a typical U.S. home left vacant during winter, set the thermostat to at least 55°F and leave the heat running. Set it higher if the home has exposed plumbing, poor insulation, severe weather, or heating-system concerns.
Will setting the thermostat to 55°F prevent pipes from freezing?
No. 55°F is a common protective minimum, not a guarantee. Pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages, attics, and other cold areas may freeze even when the thermostat reads 55°F.
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- The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory. Lock feature: No
- Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home; easily program an energy efficient schedule in the Google home app on your Android or iPhone
- Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
- Savings Finder looks for more ways your thermostat can help you save, and suggests tweaks to your schedule in the app; check with your energy provider to learn more about rebates and more ways to save on a Nest thermostat
Should I use the same holiday setting for a heat pump?
Do not use a generic setback without checking the heat-pump manufacturer’s guidance. Heat pumps, auxiliary heat, wiring, and controls differ, and there is no single vacation temperature that fits every system.
Is a smart thermostat useful when I am away?
A smart thermostat can provide vacation scheduling, remote temperature checks, and alerts, but compatibility varies by HVAC type, wiring, power, and auxiliary-heat configuration. Verify compatibility before purchase or installation.
What should I set the thermostat to for a summer holiday absence?
For a summer absence, do not use the 55°F winter recommendation. A cooling setting above 78°F is an ENERGY STAR example starting point, but humidity, pets, plants, climate, and mold risk may require a different setting.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: For a typical U.S. home vacant during a winter holiday, leave the heat on at 55°F or higher. Treat 55°F as a minimum—not a guarantee—and use a higher setting, temperature monitoring, exposed-pipe protection, or professional winterization when the home’s plumbing or weather makes the risk greater.
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