What Temperature To Keep Your Vacant Cabin in Winter?
In general, setting the thermostat to between 10°C and 13°C provides adequate freeze protection while significantly reducing energy costs.
However finding the ideal temperature setting for your cabin or cottage during winter can depend on a few things. Beyond just comfort, it can depend on your risk tolerance and balance preventing costly damage and managing energy costs. We've broken down the main things to think about when deciding what to set your cabin's thermostat to this winter.
Protection vs. Energy Costs
Setting the right temperature in your vacant property requires balancing two competing concerns: preventing freeze damage and controlling heating expenses. While keeping your cabin toasty warm at 23°C would definitely prevent any freezing issues, the energy costs far outweight the benefit.
On the other hand, turning the heat off entirely during winter absences would remove any heating cost but - at least in Canada - guarantee catastrophic pipe damage.
The ideal temperature setting hits the sweet spot between these extremes. You want to get good protection against frozen pipes while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption for periods when nobody's around.
Recommended Temperature Settings for Vacant Properties
For most standard cabins and vacation homes in Canadian winters, maintaining an interior temperature between 10°C and 13°C provides adequate freeze protection while significantly reducing energy costs compared to comfort temperatures. This range keeps your structure sufficiently warm to prevent freezing in main living areas while running your heating system efficiently.
However, this general recommendation must be adjusted based on your specific circumstances:
Short-Term Vacancies (Less than 2 Weeks)
For brief absences, setting your thermostat to 12-13°C offers good protection with minimal adjustment required upon your return. This keeps your property warm enough that you can quickly restore comfort temperatures when you arrive.
Extended Absences (Months)
For longer winter vacancies, you can potentially reduce your setting to 8-10°C in well-insulated, modern properties. However, this lower setting requires additional precautions for vulnerable areas.
Weekend Properties with Regular Visits
If you visit regularly or have a remote cabin monitoring system, maintaining 10°C during absences can be a good in-between.
Special Considerations for Vulnerable Areas
The recommended temperatures above apply to your main thermostat setting and will approximate the temperature in most areas of your cabin.
However, certain areas of your cabin require special attention as they may be significantly colder than your thermostat indicates:
Northern-facing rooms often experience temperatures 3-5°C colder than the rest of your property due to reduced sun exposure and typically higher wind exposure. Exterior wall plumbing also runs a higher risk of freezing even when your main living space remains above freezing. Bathrooms located on exterior walls are particularly vulnerable due to their plumbing concentration.
Crawl spaces, basements, and attics typically run much colder than your main living areas. A cabin thermostat registering 10°C might still have an unheated crawlspace hovering near freezing. Consider using heat tape for these spaces during extreme cold periods.
Regional Adjustments for Temperature Settings
Your location dramatically impacts the appropriate temperature setting for your vacant property:
Northern Properties
Properties in colder provinces or at high elevations should maintain a minimum of 12-13°C during vacant periods, especially those exposed to extended periods below -20°C. The temperature differential between outside and inside creates greater challenges for maintaining consistent interior temperatures.
Structures in these regions benefit from additional heat sources in vulnerable areas and should never be set below 10°C, even for extended absences, unless professionally winterized with completely drained plumbing systems.
Moderate Canadian Climates
Properties in Ontario, Quebec, and similar climate zones can typically maintain 10-12°C safely during winter absences. However, during extreme cold snaps, temporary adjustments may be necessary if forecasts predict extended periods below -25°C.
Coastal Properties
Properties in milder coastal regions may safely maintain 8-10°C during typical winter conditions, as freezing temperatures occur less frequently and for shorter durations. However, don't become complacent - even these areas experience occasional severe cold that can cause damage if properties aren't properly protected.
Beyond the Thermostat
While maintaining appropriate temperature is essential, it represents just one element of a comprehensive winter protection strategy. Consider a few additional measures to limit the risk of burst pipes.
- Opening cabinet doors beneath sinks allows warmer air to circulate around plumbing fixtures, helping maintain temperatures above freezing even in exterior wall locations.
- Sealing drafts and adding insulation to vulnerable areas improves your heating system's efficiency while preventing localized cold spots that might freeze despite adequate ambient temperatures.
- Draining and shutting off water to outdoor fixtures and irrigation systems eliminates these vulnerable freeze points entirely.
- For extended absences, consider shutting off your main water supply and draining interior pipes if you'll be gone for months, even with minimal heat maintained.
Smart Technology Solutions for Remote Temperature Management
Today's technology offers excellent options for monitoring and adjusting your property's temperature remotely:
If you have year-round reliable internet, Wi-Fi enabled thermostats allow you to monitor your cabin's temperature from anywhere and make adjustments based on changing weather forecasts.
For the majority of cabins without reliable internet, cellular-connected temperature monitoring systems provide similar protection without depending on broadband connections. CabinPulse - a made-in-Canada example - can even automatically alert a local property manager or maintenance person if temperatures fall below your predetermined thresholds.
Temperature vs. Energy Costs
Understanding the financial implications of different temperature settings helps inform your decision. Here are some rough numbers to guide your decision:
| Setting | Monthly Heating Cost* | Freeze Protection Level | Return-to-Comfort Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-21°C | $150-300 | Maximum | Immediate |
| 13-15°C | $100-200 | High | 1-2 hours |
| 10-12°C | $75-150 | Adequate | 3-4 hours |
| 7-9°C | $50-100 | Minimal | 5-8 hours |
| Below 7°C | $25-75 | Insufficient | 8+ hours |
*Estimated costs vary significantly based on property size, insulation quality, heating system efficiency, and local energy rates.
When calculating the true cost of your temperature decision, remember that a single pipe freezing incident typically costs $16,000+ in damage repairs, often with additional costs from lost rental income during repairs or diminished property enjoyment.
Alternative Approaches to Constant Heating
For those seeking alternatives to maintaining constant heat, several options exist:
Scheduled Intermittent Heating
Some property owners opt for intermittent heating schedules, allowing temperatures to drop lower during extended absences but programming the system to run regularly enough to prevent freezing. This approach typically maintains minimum temperatures of 5-7°C but requires professional implementation and careful monitoring to ensure effectiveness.
Drain-Down Winterization
For seasonal properties with extended winter closures, professional drain-down winterization eliminates the need for constant heating. This process involves completely emptying all water from your plumbing system, adding non-toxic antifreeze to traps and toilets, and properly preparing appliances for freezing temperatures. While this approach minimizes energy costs, it requires professional service (typically $200-400) and makes short visits during winter impractical without recommissioning the water system.
Heating Only Critical Areas
Zoned heating systems or targeted insulation and heat tape allow you to maintain higher temperatures (10-12°C) around plumbing while allowing non-critical areas to drop cooler (5-7°C). This hybrid approach can substantially reduce energy consumption while still protecting vulnerable systems. A neighbour at our family cabin did this; her converted his three-season to a four-season, only heating his water tank area and adding heat tape to the plumbing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Temperature Settings
Q: Can I turn the heat off completely if I drain all the water pipes?
A: Yes, but only if your property has been professionally winterized with complete system drainage, including water heaters, fixtures, appliances, and appropriate use of antifreeze in traps. Also consider how temperature fluctuations might affect other aspects of your property, such as finishes, electronics, furniture, and any stored items that could be damaged by freezing.
Q: How much will I save by lowering my thermostat from 21°C to 10°C during absences?
A: Most properties will see 40-60% savings on heating costs with this reduction. The exact amount depends on your heating system efficiency, insulation quality, and local climate conditions.
Q: Should I close interior doors when leaving my property vacant?
A: No - keep interior doors open to promote air circulation throughout the property, which helps maintain consistent temperatures and prevents cold spots from developing in closed-off rooms away from the thermostat.
Q: What's better: setting a constant temperature or letting it fluctuate based on outdoor conditions?
A: Smart thermostats that adjust based on outdoor temperatures typically provide better protection and efficiency than constant settings. These systems increase heat during extreme cold and reduce it during milder periods, optimizing both protection and energy usage.
Q: Is it worth hiring someone to check on my property during winter? A: For properties in extreme climates or with valuable finishes and furnishings, periodic checks (every 2-4 weeks) provide significant peace of mind. Many property management services offer this for $25-75 per visit, which is minimal compared to potential damage costs; as a more reliable and lower cost alternative, consider a remote freeze alarm or cabin monitoring system like CabinPulse that lets you check on the temperature, power status and more 24/7 from your phone.
Thoughtful Temperature Management
There's no one-size-fits-all temperature to keep your cabin at this winter; it's a personalized decision based on your specific circumstances, property characteristics, and risk tolerance.
Keep in mind that the minimal cost difference between inadequate heating (7°C) and safer settings (10-12°C) can be exceptional insurance against potentially catastrophic damage.
When in doubt, err on the side of protection—the slightly higher heating bill pales in comparison to extensive water damage repairs!
