Planning a vacation should feel relaxing, not stressful. Yet many Atlanta homeowners wonder how to set their thermostat when leaving town to save energy, protect their home, and maintain healthy indoor air quality. The right thermostat settings can prevent humidity issues, frozen pipes, unnecessary cooling costs, and discomfort for pets who remain at home.
This guide explains the best thermostat settings for winter and summer travel, plus specific recommendations for households with pets. You'll also learn why leaving your air conditioning system or heating system completely off can create unnecessary risks.
For thermostat upgrades or smart thermostat installation, explore services at estesair.com
Best Thermostat Settings for Winter Vacations
When traveling during the colder months, knowing how to improve indoor air quality and prevent winter-related issues starts with proper temperature control.
A good rule of thumb is to set your thermostat between 50°F and 55°F before leaving. This temperature range achieves two goals:
Energy savings throughout your trip
Protection against frozen pipes during cold temperatures
The Department of Energy reports that lowering your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours or longer can reduce heating costs by as much as 10 percent. Over the course of a week-long vacation, this translates to meaningful savings on your next energy bill.
Winter Settings for Homes with Pets
If pets are staying home, never set your heating system below 60°F. Dogs and cats can become uncomfortable in colder indoor environments, especially:
- Senior pets with joint stiffness
- Pets recovering from illness
- Breeds with minimal fur or low cold tolerance
- Whenever possible, consult your veterinarian for personalized recommendations.
- For heating system service before your trip, trust Estes Services
Best Thermostat Settings for Summer Vacations
Summers in Atlanta bring heat, humidity, and heavy reliance on air conditioner units. Before leaving town, adjust your thermostat to 85°F to 90°F. This prevents temperature extremes while ensuring your air conditioning system runs occasional cycles to manage indoor humidity levels.
Allowing your indoor environment to reach excessively high humidity creates an ideal environment for indoor air pollutants, mold spores, and structural damage. This is why thermostat setbacks are preferred over shutting the system off entirely.
Summer Settings for Homes with Pets
- For homes with pets staying indoors:
- Set the thermostat between 80°F and 82°F
- Ensure fresh water is always available
- Keep shades partially closed to maintain cooler living spaces
- For AC maintenance or inspection before travel, visit
H2: Should You Turn Off Your HVAC System While on Vacation?
Although it may seem efficient to shut off your HVAC system entirely, doing so can cause several issues for Atlanta homes. Here's why you should always keep your system operating at an adjusted setting instead of turning it off:
- Restoring comfort takes much longer and requires more energy if the indoor temperature swings drastically.
- Turning off your heating system in winter increases the risk of frozen plumbing lines.
- Turning off your cooling system in summer eliminates humidity control, which can damage flooring, paint, furniture, and drywall.
- High humidity indoors encourages mold and mildew growth.
In short, the smartest long-term strategy is adjusting your thermostat—not turning it off.
H2: Thermostat Upgrades for Better Control While Traveling
Smart and programmable thermostats make it easier to manage comfort and energy efficiency while you're away. With remote access, you can monitor indoor temperatures, adjust setpoints, and improve indoor air quality through better environmental control.
Benefits include:
- Automatic scheduling and setback programs
- Remote monitoring from your phone
- Energy-usage reports
- Compatibility with most HVAC systems
- To explore thermostat upgrades or installation
FAQs About How to Set Your Thermostat When on Vacation
What is the best winter thermostat setting when leaving home?
Set your thermostat between 50°F and 55°F to keep your home protected from frozen pipes while reducing heating costs. Homes with pets should remain at 60°F or higher.
What temperature should I set my thermostat to in the summer while away?
For Atlanta homes, set your cooling system to 85°F to 90°F. This reduces energy use and helps control humidity indoors.
Should I turn off my HVAC system before leaving for vacation?
No. Turning off your heating or cooling system leads to humidity problems, frozen pipes, and higher energy use when you return. Always adjust the temperature instead of shutting the system off.
How does humidity affect thermostat settings while away?
High humidity indoors encourages mold growth and damages your home's finishes. Keeping your cooling system running periodically prevents moisture buildup.
H3: Should I upgrade to a smart thermostat before traveling?
A smart thermostat offers remote control, long-term energy savings, and alerts if indoor temperatures fall outside safe ranges—ideal for managing your home when traveling.
H3: Who can evaluate or install a new thermostat in Atlanta?
Estes Services provides thermostat installation, HVAC inspections, and indoor air quality equipment for Atlanta homes.
Schedule service: estesair.com/schedule-service
