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Can you leave a house unheated in the winter?

I retired last year and was thinking about becoming a snowbird. The winters here in New York are so cold, and my grandchildren live in Florida. I am unsure what to do about my home when I’m gone. Can I shut off the power and heat in the winter to save money?

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Shannon Martin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Getting out of New York in the winter and into the Florida sun sounds wonderful! While you will want to save money on utilities, you can not leave a house unheated in the winter. Keep your utilities on, and follow these tips before going out of town:
  • Set your thermostat no lower than 55°F before you leave to avoid having your pipe freeze
  • Unplug everything that will still draw extra power, like TVs and computers
  • Set some of your lights on daily timers so it will still look like someone is home
  • Arrange for a neighbor to check in on your home, especially on frigid days
  • Make sure to have your mail forwarded or held at the post office
  • Invest in a video doorbell so you can remotely monitor your home
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