At what outdoor temperature do I run a risk of my pipes freezing without keeping the heat running?

Posted in keeping pipes from freezing | 6 Comments »

6 Responses

  1. Brandy D Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 9:25 am

    anything below 32 degrees F. :) u should probably turn on the heat.
    References :

  2. HIRH Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 10:07 am

    I’d leave it set at 45 to 50 all the time. It’s cheaper to keep it at one set temp than to just turn it up from time to time. It uses less fuel to keep it constant than to heat it up from freezing.
    References :

  3. Bare B Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 10:45 am

    I live in Wisconsin, so we have similar weather. I also travel a lot, so I have the same concerns. I installed a "T" in my city water inlet with a valve and compressor fitting. I also set up bypass valves in the hot water heater so I wasn’t pressurizing the hot water tank.

    I leave the compressor right in the basement, so when I have to leave, I hook up the air and blow out my lines. I also drain the water heater. (Make sure you shut off the electric before you drain) It takes me about 1/2 hour to empty the water lines. When I leave, I know if the furnace fails, my water lines are safe.

    I also leave the heat set at 40 degrees. It doesn’t use that much fuel, and it keeps the paint in the house from extreme temperature changes which can cause damage.

    I do my road trips without worry about freezing pipes and it only takes 5 minutes to turn on the valves and restore water to my house.
    References :

  4. bigcoolassdaddy Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 11:31 am

    50degrees should work great for you.
    References :

  5. cowboydoc Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    A friend left his heat set at fifty five degrees and had a neighbor stop in on the coldest of days to make sure everythng was working O.K., it all seems to work for him. For many years.
    References :

  6. Jon F Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    Just to add to the answers you have already received, it doesn’t matter what temperature you set the heat at if there is a power outage while your gone. also a supply line to any sink or device could burst or start leaking. not to mention neighborhood kids possibly turning on your outside hose bib. I don’t travel too much but when I do I always shut the water to the building off regardless of time of year. Living near buffalo, ny the water supply is about 5 feet underground and comes into the basement (where the shutoff is) it won’t ever freeze there. when I come home I turn the water back on and wait for it to stop running. I have a second shut off, ball valve style that I use for this purpose. I’m not overly paranoid about this but water damage is second only to fire.
    References :

Leave a Comment

Please note: Comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.