November 14, 2016
A lot of people leave behind the chilly Northern weather during the holiday season to visit relatives or spend some time in warmer climates. And while it may be tempting to turn off the heat in your home while you’re away (because who doesn’t want to save on their utility bills?), you might find yourself doing more harm than good. Heating your Rome, NY home while you’re away might seem counterintuitive – but it just might help you save in the long run.
According to USA Today, when you plan on leaving your home for an extended period during the colder months, there are a few things you should do to prepare. Here are a few steps for getting your home ready – you’ll see why heating your Rome, NY home is important.
Unplug. Small electrical appliances like toasters and blenders should be unplugged while you’re gone, as should electronics like TVs, tablets, computers and clocks. Of course, you’ll want to keep anything that preserves food or beverages plugged in, such as freezers and fridges. Consider putting lights on a timer for security purposes. Clean. Anyplace where food might spoil, such as the fridge, the freezer, your sink traps and garbage disposal, should be cleared of old food and debris.
Heat. You can turn down the heating system in your Rome, NY home when you leave for vacation – but you shouldn’t turn it off. When there are no occupants in the house, running the heat at around 50 should suffice – lower, and pipes or appliances can become damaged.
Drain. Turn off your water supply and open all your faucets. Leave one faucet on your home’s lowest level open. Coupled with adequately heating your home, that should keep your pipes from freezing and bursting.
Pets. If you have pets or sensitive houseplants, you might want to set the heating in your Rome, NY home a bit higher, and enlist the help of a neighbor or friend to check in on your pets (and plants) well-being while you’re away. Make sure you give them the contact info they need, should they need to reach you while you’re away.
Advise. Let service professionals such as delivery people, sanitation workers and others know you’ll be away. If you have a home security company, let them know, too. You may wish to alert your credit card company as well, so that they will not find charges you make abroad suspicious.
Did you know that you can monitor the temperature of your home, even while you’re away on vacation? Fred F. Collis & Sons can show you today’s smart thermostats that offer remote access. These thermostats allow you to connect to the heating system in your Rome, NY home via the Internet, from your Smartphone, tablet or laptop. You can control the temperature and monitor your system, so you’ll know what’s happening with your home heating, even when you’re hundreds of miles away. And, you won’t have to return home from your vacation to a chilly house – you’ll be able to adjust the temperature so your homecoming will be comfy and cozy.
To learn more about how Fred F. Collis & Sons can help you with the heating needs of your Rome, NY home, call us today at 315-790-6651, contact us online, or visit our showroom at 5092 Commercial Drive in Yorkville, N.Y.
