Do you have a big winter vacation planned this year? It's always exciting to schedule time away from home, but don't forget to make sure your heating and cooling system is ready for the trip. There are a few ways you can save money and protect your home while you're gone, and the heating contractors at Donovan & Jorgenson of New Berlin, WI, will be happy to guide you along the way. Their technicians have served the greater Milwaukee area since 1985, and with their assistance you'll be fully prepared to leave your home with confidence. 

A Guide to Setting Your Thermostat for Vacation

Even when you're on vacation, your home still uses electricity to some degree. Keeping your energy down and maintaining a safe environment is all about effectively controlling power usage and managing heating and cooling levels. While it may seem like a no-brainer to turn your heating off completely, you need to maintain a certain level of warmth to ensure your pipes don't freeze and burst. 

Program your thermostat to keep the temperature somewhere between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit for the best results. Your heating and cooling preferences may vary depending on whether you have any sensitive plants in the home, but otherwise keeping it at 50 or up is the most important step. If you have a fully programmable thermostat with dates and times, you can even set it to switch to a more comfortable temperature the day you return. Additionally, consider lowering the temperature of your water heater or completely turning it off if you're going to be away for more than three days. 

There's nothing worse than finally getting away from your daily routine only to realize you forgot to adjust everything at home accordingly. Create a to-do list in advance, unplug all your electrical equipment, set lighting timers where necessary, and remember to program your thermostat. If you run into any problems with your heating and cooling system in the process, contact Donovan & Jorgenson. They offer free estimates, and emergency services are available around the clock. Head to their website to contact them and schedule an appointment, and like them on Facebook for updates.