Yes, vacations are fun. But if you leave for a week in January, do not turn the thermostat below 55°F. That’s the magic number. Below that, your pipes start humming scary Christmas carols.
Set it to 60°F to be safe. Your heating bill will be slightly higher. Your repair bill will be nonexistent. Math is on your side.
Also, ask a neighbor to check on your pipes. Bribe them with cookies. Nobody ever froze a pipe while eating chocolate chip cookies.
When Mother Nature Laughs at Your Plans
Sometimes, extreme cold wins anyway. If the temperature drops below -20°F (like in Alberta or Siberia), even wrapped pipes can freeze. In that case, go full MacGyver.
Point a space heater toward the vulnerable area—but keep it three feet from anything flammable. Your pipe wants warmth, not a funeral. And never leave the heater unattended. You’re clever, not careless.
Fun fact: In 1983, a plumber in Minnesota saved a frozen pipe by wrapping it in an electric blanket. It worked. He became a local legend. You can too.
