Keeping pipes from freezing when away

giraffe69

What if you don't have a thermostat? if there's a hint of a possible severe cold snap it will be picked up by most of the weather models well before 7 days. The more models that agree, the greater the probability of the forecast being accurate.

Keep digging!

mjmal51

Seems that some insurance companies now want you to set the thermostat at 12 deg or higher when away, not sure how they would be able to check however.
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2845331/The-experience-wary-pipes-plumbing-Pass-temperature-test-home-uninsured.html
"
Families who take a short break over the festive period could be left with no recourse to insurance if their pipes burst or leak, thanks to a little-known clause in their home insurance cover.
An increasing number of insurers are specifying that anyone who leaves a property for five days or more must keep the heating on a level above freezing or drain their water system altogether.
If they do not do so, the property will not be covered in the event of burst pipes or water leakage caused by cold weather.
Esure, Sheilas’ Wheels and Admiral are among insurers that have inserted a ‘thermostat clause’ into their policies. Admiral specifies that the thermostat must be set at 12 degrees Celsius or higher, while Esure and Sheilas’ Wheels say customers must take ‘reasonable care’ to heat their homes"

Andy_WSM

mjmal51 wrote: »

not sure how they would be able to check however.

It's very easy to tell if something has burst through freezing and it's almost certainly reasonable for them to assume if a pipe has burst your heating was not set to 12C or higher (excepting in extremely severe weather maybe).

It would also be fraud to tell them the heating was on, if it really wasn't.

There's really very little if any cost involved in keeping the heating turned on and set at 12C as most houses won't cool to this temperature triggering the heating unless there is a very cold spell and if there was, well surely you'd be please to spend a few £s to not come home to a flood.

captainhindsight_2

Andy_WSM wrote: »

It's very easy to tell if something has burst through freezing and it's almost certainly reasonable for them to assume if a pipe has burst your heating was not set to 12C or higher (excepting in extremely severe weather maybe).

It would also be fraud to tell them the heating was on, if it really wasn't.

There's really very little if any cost involved in keeping the heating turned on and set at 12C as most houses won't cool to this temperature triggering the heating unless there is a very cold spell and if there was, well surely you'd be please to spend a few £s to not come home to a flood.

Yes it is much cheaper to leave the heating on 24/7 on the thermostat to save big bills like burst water pipes!

Andy_WSM

"This message is hidden because captainhindsight is on your ignore list."

There's an odd Troll-like whining noise following me around the forum.

captainhindsight_2

Andy_WSM wrote: »

There's an odd Troll-like whining noise following me around the forum.

Rofl no troll here

MoneyMate

If you are worried about electrically heated hot water tanks while away you could turn the thermostat ( for the immersion heater if variable ) down to minimum and leave on, remembering to reset to your normal setting on return .
Some central heating systems have a Vacation OR Holiday facility ( just remember setting B4 leaving, I would strongly recommend set Temp to 12 dec not the 10 default. ) :beer:

Cardew

MoneyMate wrote: »

If you are worried about electrically heated hot water tanks while away you could turn the thermostat ( for the immersion heater if variable ) down to minimum and leave on, remembering to reset to your normal setting on return .
Some central heating systems have a Vacation OR Holiday facility ( just remember setting B4 leaving, I would strongly recommend set Temp to 12 dec not the 10 default. ) :beer:

Why would you need to do anything to the Hot water tank if it is a house that will be above freezing?

MoneyMate

Cardew wrote: »

Why would you need to do anything to the Hot water tank if it is a house that will be above freezing?

Some people may not be lucky enough to have central heating and just protect their water tanks :beer:

Cardew

Why would you need to do anything to the Hot water tank if it is a house that will be above freezing?

MoneyMate wrote: »

Some people may not be lucky enough to have central heating and just protect their water tanks :beer:

Indeed, but the OP who asked the question apparently has CH

What is the best setting and time of day or night to have central heating and or water immersion heater on when away for a week in winter?

If a non-centrally heated house is going to get cold enough for the Hot water tank to freeze, then what about the cold water tank, pipes, toilets etc The only solution would be to drain down the complete system.