The question pops up every time you pack your suitcases – should you turn off the AC during vacation? The US Department of Energy states that your cooling bill can drop by up to 10% if you set your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees warmer for eight hours or more.
Most of us miss this simple chance to save money while planning our trips. Energy modeling reveals that you can cut your yearly energy use by up to 11% if you let your home warm up during your absence and cool it upon return. Shutting down your system completely might not be the best solution. Your vacant house’s summer temperature settings depend on multiple factors like trip length and regional weather. Your indoor humidity must stay below 50% to avoid mold growth and furniture damage – a risk that comes with switching everything off.
This piece explains the ideal AC temperature settings during vacation, whether you should keep your AC running, and smart ways to protect your home while saving energy. The perfect vacation ends with returning to a comfortable, mold-free home without any surprising energy bills.
Should You Turn Off Your AC While on Vacation?
You need to balance energy savings with home protection when deciding about AC settings before vacation. Several vital factors will shape your decision.
How long will you be away?
Your trip’s duration plays a substantial role in your AC strategy. Short getaways of a few days work best when you keep your HVAC system running at near-normal temperatures. This way, you’ll come back to a comfortable home without any issues.
Long absences of a week or more need a different approach with higher temperature settings. Many homeowners believe they should set temperatures higher or completely turn off systems during longer trips. The reality proves quite different. Your home could suffer from humidity and heat damage without proper climate control over extended periods.
Does turning off AC save money?
Most people think shutting off their AC completely saves money, but research shows otherwise. Tests in residential units revealed that homes with completely disabled AC used more energy than those maintaining higher temperatures. The reason? Your system needs extra power to cool down an overheated house when you return.
Your cooling costs can drop by 10% just by raising the thermostat 7-10 degrees. The smart approach involves raising the temperature instead of a complete shutdown.
On top of that, it helps protect:
- Your refrigerator’s performance in heat
- Electronics from circuit damage
- Wooden furniture from warping
- Home surfaces from peeling and mold
What temperature to leave vacant house in summer?
Expert recommendations suggest 80-85°F for summer vacation settings. The Department of Energy recommends 85-90°F for extended absences. These ranges save energy while preventing moisture problems in your home.
Homes with pets should stay at 80°F or lower. You might need even lower settings for houseplants, artwork, or sensitive electronic equipment.
Your air conditioning does more than cool – it manages humidity levels. Indoor humidity should stay under 50%. Running your system at higher temperatures prevents moisture damage that could cost more than any potential energy savings from a complete shutdown.
Best Temperature Settings for Vacation
The right temperature for your empty home needs a balance between saving energy and protecting your house. Let me help you find the best settings that work.
What temp to set AC when on vacation
Your ideal temperature setting changes based on how long you’ll be away. A few days away? Set your thermostat to around 78°F (26°C) to find that sweet spot. You’ll save energy and come back to a comfortable home.
Planning to be gone for a week or longer? You can bump the temperature up to 85°F (29°C). This higher setting will protect your home and save you money while you’re enjoying your extended vacation.
Recommended thermostat range for summer trips
HVAC experts say the best temperature range sits between 80-85°F during vacation. The Florida Solar Energy Center likes 85°F for quick trips. But the Florida Public Service Commission suggests keeping temps under 80°F for part of the day to stop mold growth.
Here’s a simple trick: the “4-degree rule”. Just set your thermostat 4 degrees higher than normal. If you like your home at 75°F, try 79°F while you’re away.
These factors will help you pick the right setting:
- Your local weather and humidity
- How well your home keeps the heat out
- Any pets at home (dogs need below 80°F, cats can handle up to 85°F)
- Heat-sensitive items in your house
Why 82–85°F is the sweet spot
The 82-85°F range stands out as the perfect vacation setting. This range keeps your AC running enough to control humidity and prevent mold. Your furniture, electronics, and plants stay safe from heat damage at these temperatures.
Your AC won’t struggle when you return home either. A house that gets too hot makes your system work overtime to cool down. This extra work might use more power than if you’d kept a steady temperature all along. The slight increase saves money during your trip without causing an energy spike when you’re back.
This temperature range works well in most places. If you live somewhere very humid, you might want to stay closer to 82°F.
Smart Ways to Prep Your Home Before Leaving
Getting your home ready before you leave will save energy and keep it protected. Let me show you the best ways to prepare your AC system for your vacation.
Use a programmable or smart thermostat
A programmable thermostat with vacation mode is the quickest way to prepare your home. These devices can cut your heating and cooling costs by up to 10% each year by changing temperatures 7-10°F over long periods. Smart thermostats are even better because you can watch and adjust your home’s temperature from your phone. You’ll be able to change settings if the weather shifts or cool your home before you get back.
Close blinds and curtains to block heat
The sun’s direct heat raises indoor temperatures by a lot. Just closing your blinds and curtains before you leave, especially on south-facing windows, can keep your home from heating up by as much as 33%. This easy step helps your AC system work less since about 30% of your home’s energy escapes through windows.
Unplug unused electronics and appliances
Your electronics use power even while turned off – this is called “phantom power.” These idle devices can add up to 10% to your energy bill. Before heading out, unplug small appliances like coffee makers, toasters, gaming consoles, computers, and chargers. Smart power strips are a great option as they automatically stop power to unused devices.
Check and clean your HVAC system
Clean or replace air filters before you go to keep your system running smoothly. Dirty filters block airflow and make your system work harder, which might damage it. Take a look at outdoor units too and clear away any debris, plants, or blockages that could restrict airflow.
Set ceiling fans to auto or off
Running fans all the time wastes energy and can cost up to $25 monthly. Put your ceiling fans on “auto” instead of “on,” or just turn them off before you leave. Remember that fans only cool people, not rooms, so running them in empty spaces just increases your energy costs.
Extra Tips to Save Energy and Protect Your Home
You can protect your home and cut energy costs while you’re away by trying these strategies beyond simple temperature adjustments.
Use a dehumidifier in humid climates
Your indoor humidity levels play a vital role even when you’re not home, especially in hot, humid areas. Ideal indoor humidity should stay between 30-50%. A dehumidifier works among other cooling equipment to pull excess moisture from the air. This creates a more comfortable environment and reduces strain on your AC system. A room at 78°F with low humidity can feel just as comfortable as a humid room at 70°F. This approach works great for homeowners in the eastern United States during summer. Your dehumidifier helps stop mold from growing, gets rid of odors, and lowers the risk of water damage.
Fill your fridge to help it stay cool
Your refrigerator actually works better when it’s full rather than empty. Food and drinks hold cold temperatures better than air, which means your fridge won’t have to work as hard. Before you leave, put water containers or ice trays in empty spaces. Set your refrigerator temperature to 35°F-38°F and freezer to 0°F-5°F for the best results. You might want to empty and unplug your refrigerator if you’ll be gone for more than a month.
Adjust water heater to vacation mode
Modern water heaters come with a handy vacation mode that keeps minimal heat while you’re away. This setting keeps the pilot light burning without heating water to full temperature. You’ll save on energy costs, use fewer resources, and help your water heater last longer. Just turn the dial to “VACATION” or the lowest setting on standard natural gas models. If you have an electric water heater and plan to be gone a while, turn it off at the breaker.
Smart home integration for remote control
Smart home systems let you watch and adjust your HVAC through your phone. You can react to weather changes or cool your house before coming home. The advanced features include temperature range locks that prevent extreme settings, geofencing that adjusts temperatures based on where you are, and freeze protection that turns on heat if temperatures drop too low. Better yet, smart thermostats can reduce heating costs by 10-12% and cooling costs by 15%.
Conclusion
Your home’s AC system needs more than just an off switch before you head out for vacation. This piece shows how the right temperature balance can save you money and protect your home investment.
The sweet spot for your thermostat sits between 80-85°F when you’re away in summer. This range helps you cut cooling costs by up to 10% and keeps humidity damage at bay. It’s worth mentioning that turning off your system completely might cost you more later because of moisture buildup and the extra power needed to cool things down when you return.
Simple prep work can improve these savings by a lot. Your energy bills will thank you when you close the blinds, unplug electronics, clean your HVAC system, and use smart thermostats. These steps protect your home in the long run too.
A dehumidifier makes a big difference especially when you have high humidity, and it works well with your moderately set AC. You can save even more energy by filling up your fridge and switching your water heater to vacation mode.
Your time away creates a perfect chance to save energy and keep your home in good shape. Nobody wants to come back to a muggy house with mold problems or a sky-high utility bill. These simple steps will give you peace of mind while you travel and ensure you return to a comfortable home.
FAQs
Q1. What’s the ideal AC temperature setting for a summer vacation? For summer vacations, it’s recommended to set your AC between 80-85°F (27-29°C). This range helps save energy while still protecting your home from humidity and heat damage.
Q2. Should I completely turn off my AC while on vacation? It’s generally not advisable to turn off your AC completely. Maintaining a moderate temperature helps control humidity, prevent mold growth, and protect your home’s interior. It’s more energy-efficient to keep your AC running at a higher temperature than to cool down an overheated house upon return.
Q3. How can I prepare my home’s AC system before leaving for vacation? Before leaving, clean or replace your AC filters, close all blinds and curtains, unplug unnecessary electronics, and consider using a programmable or smart thermostat. These steps can significantly improve energy efficiency and home protection while you’re away.
Q4. Are there any additional ways to save energy while on vacation? Yes, you can further save energy by adjusting your water heater to vacation mode, filling your refrigerator to help it stay cool more efficiently, and using a dehumidifier in humid climates. Smart home integration can also allow you to monitor and control your home’s temperature remotely.
Q5. How does leaving the AC on during vacation protect my home? Keeping your AC running at a moderate temperature helps control humidity levels, preventing mold growth and damage to furniture, electronics, and other belongings. It also ensures your home doesn’t become excessively hot, which could lead to various issues like paint peeling or warped wooden surfaces.
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