Going on holiday for 10 days - heating off, or set a minimum temperature?

What_time_is_it

House will be empty for 10 days, well 9 nights, so do I turn off the heating completely? Or leave it on a frost setting/minimum temperature? I've heard people suggest 12 degrees for this?

Forecast is for 7-9 degrees during the day, falling to 3-5 minimum early mornings.
House is a victorian semi with double glazing but not great (yet!) loft insulation and old style walls.

What would you do?

daveaspy

personally - off unless you expect freezing temperatures while you are away

Astria

I would set it to maintain an inside temperature of at least 10 - 12c.

Before you decide I'd check your home insurance as some specify minimum temperature requirements to provide cover.

Mstty

This time of year I would leave it off.

However a long range forecast should be looked at to look for any potential freezing.

What_time_is_it

Astria said:

I would set it to maintain an inside temperature of at least 10 - 12c.

Before you decide I'd check your home insurance as some specify minimum temperature requirements to provide cover.

How would they know?

SAC2334

Off for me too as no chance of hitting sub zero unless you live high up in Northern Scotland ,
 Electric on only for the fridge/freezer/alarms .Water stop !!!!!! also turned off .

What_time_is_it

Not thought about the water stop. What's the advantage/disadvantage there?
I've got a combi boiler so presumably if the heating is set to off then the hot water is also off?

What_time_is_it

Sub-zero seems very unlikely. I'm in northern England and the minimum forecast temperature is 3 degrees. What temperature is a problem? 0 right?

chris_n

If your house is going to get down to 10 degrees over the course of 10 days with the temperatures forecast you need to have a serious look at your insulation and draught proofing! 

sully1311

What_time_is_it said:

Not thought about the water stop. What's the advantage/disadvantage there?
I've got a combi boiler so presumably if the heating is set to off then the hot water is also off?

Burst pipes

Astria

What_time_is_it said:

Astria said:

I would set it to maintain an inside temperature of at least 10 - 12c.

Before you decide I'd check your home insurance as some specify minimum temperature requirements to provide cover.

How would they know?

They wouldn't, unless you made a claim for damage caused by low temperatures.

Considering we are not expecting freezing temperatures then if you set your thermostat at something like 10c then the heating shouldn't come on anyway, so it won't cost any more than leaving it off.