Written on: December 14, 2020
It could be tempting during the winter to try to save money by turning off your furnace or boiler when you’re away from home (or if you own a seasonal or vacation home that sits empty in the winter).
Don’t do it.
The truth is that setting your thermostat below 55°F could result in costly problems for your Hudson Valley home. What problems, you ask? Let’s take a look.
When temperatures inside your house drop too low, the risk for frozen pipes increases dramatically. Most bathroom and kitchen pipes are not insulated, so they rely on your home heating system to keep them warm. Without adequate ambient heat, these pipes can freeze and eventually burst, causing severe water and structural damage that could cost thousands of dollars to repair.
A second problem that setting the temperature too low in your home can cause is a buildup of condensation (water droplets) inside your home. Condensation occurs when moist air comes into contact with a cold surface; the cooler the air in your home is, the less moisture it can hold.
A buildup of condensation can damage your wood floors, furniture, and electronic equipment, and could even lead to a mold problem – definitely something you want to avoid.
An easy way to avoid these problems is to install a programmable or smart thermostat; these easy-to-use devices will help you keep temperatures low while you’re a way and higher while you’re home. Contact us today to learn more about thermostat installations in the Hudson Valley.
Keep steady heat coming all winter long with reliable fuel deliveries and expert heating service in Dutchess County, Orange County, Putnam County and northern Westchester County from the pros at Downey Energy. Contact us today to learn more, or to become a Downey Energy customer!
