How should you set your thermostat when you're away from home for an extended period?
Jan 08, 2026
How should you set your thermostat when you're away from home for an extended period?
During the winter heating season, many households face this problem: what is the most reasonable way to set the thermostat when they need to be away for an extended period due to business trips, vacations, etc.? Should they turn it off completely? Keep it on constantly? What temperature setting is the most economical and safest?
In fact, incorrect settings can not only lead to energy waste but also pose risks such as frozen pipes, boiler malfunctions, and reduced system lifespan. Therefore, it's essential to understand the best thermostat settings for when you're away from home for an extended period.
I. The Most Important Principle for Long-Term Absence: Do Not Completely Shut Down the Heating System
Many users, when leaving home for an extended period, instinctively turn off their boiler or thermostat, believing this is the most economical approach. However, in a heating system, this is often the riskiest practice.
Why is it not recommended to completely shut down the system?
1. Loss of Anti-Freezing Function
Most gas boilers and heat pump systems rely on power and a minimum operating state to provide frost protection. Once the power is cut off or the system is completely shut down, the water in the pipes is highly susceptible to freezing in low temperatures.
2. High Risk of Pipe Freezing and Bursting
If underfloor heating pipes or radiator pipes freeze and burst, it often results in hidden leaks, and the repair costs far outweigh the energy savings.
3. Reheating is More Energy-Intensive
Especially for underfloor heating systems, which have a thick heat storage layer and high thermal inertia, completely cooling down and then reheating the system often consumes more energy in the short term than maintaining a constant low temperature.
II. Setting the Most Reasonable Temperature Based on the Duration of Absence:
Different durations of absence require completely different thermostat settings.
| Duration | Recommend Temperature | Reason |
| Short-term absence (1-3 days) | 16–18℃ |
Significantly lower energy consumption than maintaining 20–22℃ all day; Quick return to comfortable temperature upon return |
| Medium-term absence (3-14 days) | 12–15℃ |
Temperatures above 12℃ ensure pipe safety; Energy consumption can be reduced by 30%–50% compared to comfortable temperatures |
| Long-term absence (15 days or more) | 8–12℃ | This scenario requires more attention to safety than extreme energy saving. |
III. Differences in Settings for Different Heating Systems
1. Underfloor Heating System: Most sensitive to "frequent starting and stopping"
Underfloor heating is a low-temperature, high-inertia system. It is not suitable for complete shutdown. It is not suitable for frequent switching on and off. The optimal strategy is low-temperature constant operation.
2. Radiator System: Higher flexibility
Radiators have low thermal inertia and adjust quickly. Setting suggestions: Maintain low-temperature operation in the main circuit. Close the valves in secondary rooms.
3. Heat Pump System: More suitable for continuous operation
Heat pumps have a higher COP (Coefficient of Performance) during low-load, stable operation. Shutdown is not recommended. Long-term low-temperature operation is more energy-efficient.
IV. Advantages of Smart Thermostats During Extended Absences
If you are using a WiFi or ZigBee smart thermostat, extended absences will become very simple.
1. Away Mode: Automatically maintains frost protection temperature, prevents human error, and allows for one-touch switching, ideal for elderly households.
2. Remote Pre-heating: Recommended 6-12 hours in advance for underfloor heating systems; 2-4 hours in advance for radiator systems.
3. Fine-grained control by room: Slightly higher temperatures for rooms with exterior walls and windows; slightly lower temperatures for interior rooms; further energy savings while maintaining safety.
Beok is committed to developing energy-efficient and high-performance smart thermostats, helping people enjoy comfortable indoor temperatures while minimizing heating costs. Our thermostats can be used to control electric heating, water heating, wall-mounted boilers, air conditioners, radiators, and other systems. Furthermore, some of our thermostats feature convenient functions such as one-touch energy saving, away mode, holiday mode, and open window detection.
In summary, when you're away from home for an extended period, the best thermostat setting isn't simply "the lower the better," but rather a balance between safety, frost protection, energy saving, and system lifespan.
