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Set your thermostat to at least 55°F (about 13°C) before leaving for a winter vacation when freezing weather is possible. Leave the heat running at a steady temperature day and night. This is a minimum baseline, not a guarantee for every building: homes with exposed plumbing, poor insulation, severe cold or unreliable heating may need a higher setting and additional pipe protection.
Why you should not turn the heat off
Water expands as it freezes, creating pressure that can split metal or plastic plumbing. Damage is especially likely where pipes run through garages, crawl spaces, attics, basements, kitchen cabinets or exterior walls. A burst pipe can cause substantially more damage than the additional fuel or electricity needed to maintain a minimum indoor temperature.
The American Red Cross advises leaving the heat on and suspending lower nighttime settings during cold-weather travel. A constant setting avoids allowing walls and plumbing zones to cool further overnight.
How the official recommendations compare
| Situation or guidance | Temperature | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| American Red Cross, unoccupied home during cold weather | 55°F (about 13°C) minimum | General U.S. baseline when freezing conditions are possible. |
| PreparedBC, Government of British Columbia (2024) | 12°C (53.6°F) minimum | Metric guidance intended to help prevent frozen pipes; 55°F is a practical rounded U.S. setting. |
| Oklahoma Insurance Department, home occupied in winter | At least 65°F | Illustrates that occupied-home guidance and vulnerable construction can call for more heat than an away minimum. |
No official source establishes one temperature that guarantees every pipe will stay above freezing. Outdoor temperature, wind, drafts, insulation, pipe location and heating reliability all matter. The reviewed guidance also does not provide a universal dollar saving for choosing the minimum setting.
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#1 Best Overall
Suuwer 5-1-1 Day Programmable Thermostats for Home 1 Heat/ 1 Cool Conventional Single-Stage Systems
- 【Notice】Please make sure to read the installation and wiring instructions provided in the pictures carefully before buying. If you are inexperienced with installation, it is advised to be cautious when making a purchase to avoid issues like product failure or incompatibility. (Verify the existing base to ensure only 2 to 5 wires are compatible for installation and wiring).
- 【Thermostat Applications 1H/1C】for with Conventional Single-Stage Heating & Air Conditioning, up to 1 Heat and 1 Cool. Gas/Oil/Electric Furnace (Heat only), Boiler Radiant (Heat only), Furnace Forced-Air (Heat Only), Gas Fireplace (24 Volts), Cooling Only, Only 1H/1C Heat Pump (without aux) Systems.
- 【Incompatible Systems】Does not work multistage systems (1H/2C, 2H/2C), HVAC heat pump systems (2H/1C, 4H/2C), PTACs, 3-wire hydronic (hot water), dual fuel/hybrid heating. Does not work line voltage systems (120-240V electric baseboards heat); mini split heat pump air conditioner, RV air conditioners mach and roughneck series.
- Suuwer S705 5-1-1 day programmable thermostat 1 Heat/ 1 Cool. Separate programs for the weekdays and weekends with 4 program periods per day including wake, leave, return and sleep.
- 【Technical support】 Separate heat or cool swing set up (0.2°F to 2°F) and 5 minute compressor delay protection (Selectable ON or OFF). Digital thermostat has a built-in battery change and filter change reminders (Set 50-2000 hours)
When to choose a higher setting
Use a setting above the minimum if any of these conditions apply:
- Water lines run through an unheated garage, attic, crawl space, basement or exterior wall.
- The property has known drafts, missing insulation or previous freeze-ups.
- A prolonged or severe cold snap is forecast.
- The heating system has a history of failures, or nobody can respond quickly to an alarm.
- Your landlord, insurer, local authority or heating-equipment manufacturer specifies a higher temperature.
For a house with significant plumbing exposure, raising the thermostat is only one part of the solution; protect the pipes physically as well.
Rank #2
Sale
Sensi Smart Thermostat, Wi-Fi, DIY, Alexa, Energy Star Certified, ST55
- PRIVACY PROTECTION*: Sensi won’t sell your personal information to third parties
- EASY DIY INSTALLATION: Use the built-in level and step-by-step app instructions for a quick installation. Works with HVAC equipment found in most homes. Common wire (c-wire) is not required in most applications
- 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
- SMART MAINTENANCE: Sensi can help monitor the performance and efficiency of your HVAC system by delivering valuable usage reports, alerts about your equipment, and maintenance reminders like filter replacement
Winter-vacation preparation checklist
- Keep the heating system operating. Do not switch it off while freezing conditions are possible. Set the thermostat to the minimum or higher temperature you have selected and leave it there continuously.
- Open cabinet doors. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets beneath sinks so heated room air can reach plumbing on exterior walls. Move cleaners, medicines and other hazardous products away from children and pets before doing this.
- Close doors to cold areas. Keep garage and basement doors shut where pipes are present, while ensuring the heating system can circulate air safely.
- Disconnect outdoor hoses. Remove garden hoses and, where practical, shut off and drain exterior faucet lines.
- Insulate exposed plumbing. Fit pipe sleeves to vulnerable sections. The Red Cross also identifies UL-listed heat tape or heat cable as products to consider; install and operate them exactly as labeled.
- Use a small faucet trickle only in severe cold. A slow flow from a faucet served by an exposed pipe can reduce freeze risk, but it consumes water and does not replace heat or insulation.
- Arrange an in-person check. Ask a trusted person to visit during the trip. Michigan guidance recommends a daily check, and PreparedBC likewise advises arranging someone to check the home while you are away.
- Set up alerts if available. A monitored low-temperature sensor or connected thermostat can warn you about a heating failure, but it is not a substitute for someone who can enter the property and act.
Should you shut off and drain the water?
For some properties, shutting off the main supply and draining domestic plumbing is an additional freeze-and-flood precaution. Confirm the procedure with a qualified plumber, because draining the water system can deactivate a residential fire-sprinkler system. Do not alter a sprinkler system without following applicable code, insurer and manufacturer requirements.
If you rent, follow the lease and notify the property manager about heating problems, leaks or any required winterization. Owners should check insurance conditions before departure; some policies require heat, inspections or a minimum indoor temperature.
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Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 4
Best Value
Sale
Amazon Smart Thermostat, Save money and energy, Works with Alexa and Ring, C-wire required
- An Alexa thermostat - Amazon Smart Thermostat is an easy way to switch from a traditional thermostats for homes and help reduce energy usage.
- Create comfort zones throughout your home by connecting to select Alexa devices to automatically adjust heating and cooling based on temperature readings or presence detection.
- Save money and energy - After purchase, Amazon will send you an email with details about home thermostat rebates that may be available from energy providers in your area.
- Save energy - According to EPA estimates, ENERGY STAR certified thermostats save an average of $90 on yearly energy bills.
- Programmable thermostat and automatic control - Create your own home, away and sleep schedules, or have Alexa automatically control the temperature with Alexa+ advanced features.
Rank #4
Heagstat 5-1-1 Day Programmable Thermostat for Home Conventional Single-Stage Systems, up to 1 Heat/ 1 Cool, (with White Backlight)
- Simple Manual Operation: Heagstat H705 1 Heat/1 Cool, 5-1-1Day Programmable Thermostat (Separate programs for the weekdays and weekends with 4 program periods per day including wake, leave, return and sleep). The user-friendly design is easy to operate for people of all ages
- System Compatibility: Works with conventional single-stage systems, including Forced air (gas, oil, or electric) & Ventilation & Air Conditioning. It supports up to 1 heating stage and 1 cooling stage. Please confirm your home HVAC system type before purchase to ensure full compatibility
- System Limitations: This unit does NOT work with multi-stage systems and heat pump systems (2H/1C, 2H/2C, 3H/2C, 4H/2C: Multi-Stage Heating & Cooling), PTAC units (Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners), 3-wire hydronic hot water heating systems, dual fuel/hybrid heating systems, 120-240V line voltage systems and electric baseboard heaters, mini-split heat pump air conditioners, and RV air conditioners (Mach/Roughneck series)
- No C-Wire Required Design: Dual power supply design runs on 24VAC hardwired power or 2 AAA batteries (batteries not included). Equipped with standard RH, RC, W, Y, G and C terminals. Wire Specs: Use 18-22 gauge thermostat wire. Shielded wire is not required. Easy DIY installation without professional help. It does not support W2, Y2, O/B, E, L, AUX, ACC+, ACC-, S, X and X2 terminals
- Clear & Easy-to-Read Display: Minimalist off-white body matches most home interior styles. The 4.5 sq inch backlit LCD screen delivers clear visibility under all lighting conditions. Compact dimension: 0.98 inches D x 4.72 inches W x 3.86 inches H, allowing flexible wall mounting
Rank #3
Programmable Thermostat for Home, Single-Stage Systems,1 Heat/1 Cool,7 Day, 5/1/1 Day,Auto Mode Switching, Extremly Large LCD Display, White Backlight
- · High Compatibility: Forced air (gas, oil or electric), Electric furnace, Hot water steam or gravity radiant heat, Heat only systems, Heat pump w/o auxiliary or emergency heat, Millivolt, Gas fireplaces (24V), Floor or wall furnaces, Cool only systems.(TIP: Before purchasing, check to see if this thermostat is compatible with your system.)
- · Not Compatible: Heat pump with auxiliary or emergency heat, Dual fuel/hybrid heating, Electric baseboard heat (110-240 volts), Line voltage, Convectors, Radiant-ceiling heat, Mini split systems and 12V RV systems.
- · Easy to Install and Use: Large terminal blocks with universal sub-base, can be installed within 30 minutes, Large, clear, easy-to-read backlight LCD display and easy controls make for a user-friendly experience.
- · Factory Pre-set Energy-efficiency Program: 7-day, 5/1/1 easy-to-understand programming menus, flexible programming lets you sync your comfort with your schedule.
- · Reliability: Made by professional manufacturer and backed by over 20 years of experience, the customer service is 7*24 hrs available.
What to verify before you leave
- Check the local forecast for the entire trip, not just departure day.
- Test the heating system and replace a dirty filter if the equipment instructions call for it.
- Confirm that vents, radiators and return grilles are not blocked.
- Give the person checking the home your contact details, entry instructions and the location of the main water shutoff and heating controls.
- Tell the checker what to do if the indoor temperature falls, a pipe leaks or the heating system stops.
Bottom line for different homes
| Home condition | Practical approach |
|---|---|
| Well-insulated home with plumbing inside heated areas | Use the 55°F-away baseline, keep it steady day and night, and arrange monitoring. |
| Some exposed plumbing or insulation gaps | Choose a higher setting and add cabinet-door, pipe-insulation and closed-door measures. |
| Severe cold, unheated plumbing zones or unreliable heat | Use a higher temperature, supplemental pipe protection and frequent in-person checks; consider professional winterization. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
