Replies

1. 
   alwaysoverbudget | May 31, 2009 04:15am | #1

   i'd flip it off, but more important to me is that the water gets shutoff at the main.

   i have a cabin where the air is off alot,no problems,my neighbor there opens his windows about 3" to let the air circulate,probably not a bad idea.

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2. 
   BilljustBill | May 31, 2009 04:33am | #2

   Got a neighbor that leaves for 2 or 3 weeks.  She turns her A/C up to 85 so it only comes on when the house gets hot...  It keeps the humidity down and stirs the air.  She turns off her water.

   Leaving a key with us, a day or two before she comes home, I'll go turn down the A/C to 76, so the house has a level temp in the house....  I don't mess with the water just to keep from getting tangled in any plumbing problems, though.

   Just to help, we'll add a half gallon of fresh milk to the fridge and some fresh groceries and pastries to make home feel like home... 

   Bill

3. 
   DanH | May 31, 2009 04:34am | #3

   Here in MN we'd turn the AC off and crack open some windows, but conditions in TN are a bit different, I suppose. Plus things depend a lot on the security of you location and other such issues.

   -- How important is it to save the money?
   -- Will the house be less secure with some windows open a crack, and is there serious risk of rain getting inside?
   -- Do you have a situation (eg, damp basement) where keeping humidity under control is of special importance?

   In general, while it's not a good idea to allow a house to freeze (even with the water turned off and pipes winterized), there's no similar problem with letting a house get warm, up to a "reasonable" upper limit. The thing is that a completely closed house could in some conditions achieve a temperature of 130-150F in your locale, and this could be damaging to the furnishings (though likely not to the basic structure). Also, if humidity builds up to a considerable degree you can have problems with mold.

   As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
4. 
   WayneL5 | May 31, 2009 05:14am | #4

   85°?  I run mine at 85 when I'm home.

   There's no reason to have it on.  Before air conditioning existed people did not cool vacant houses and nothing bad happened.  You'd be throwing money away to leave it on.

1. 
   Piffin | May 31, 2009 04:22pm | #8

   "Before air conditioning existed people did not cool vacant houses and nothing bad happened."you ignore the fact that some homes are designed with constant HVAC in mind. Back in that time you referred to, houses were not as tight. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   ThumbBanger | May 31, 2009 04:38pm | #9

   In Florida, mold is the worry, which depends on humidity.  Mold will grow at humidity over 60%, and some people have humidistats coupled with the thermostat set at 85%.  We leave ceiling fans on, too.

5. 
   mikeroop | May 31, 2009 05:31am | #5

   Wheres your cabin? since you live in tenn.

   I live in ohio and want a cabin in tenn!

   may make it reality soon as we are dealing for a piece of the smokeys now. :)

1. 
   MissD | May 31, 2009 06:09am | #6

   Own a townhouse near the ocean.  When away for several days or weeks, always turn off the A/C.  Have decorative candles and they have never melted - that is a good sign.  Some homeowners,  turn off the A/C, when they are away for weeks/month have never heard them complain about any problems.

   When not here in the winter always keep the heat on 55 degrees.  Always turn off the main water AND OPEN DOORS UNDER THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOM SINKS to allow the heat the warm the pipes.

   Hope this helps.

2. 
   dvs | May 31, 2009 04:06pm | #7

   Thanks everybody for the help. I have a dehumidifier in the basement so I don't think humidity will be a problem. I'm not really concerned about security, I was just concerned that really high temps would be damaging to the structure or drywall. Yes, we live in Tennessee and the cabin's in northern Indiana, don't ask. 8-)

1. 
   doodabug | May 31, 2009 04:58pm | #10

   Close to Lake Michigan? I work and live in LaPorte County.

1. 
   dvs | May 31, 2009 05:21pm | #11

   No, the other side of the state, right where IN, OH, and MI come together.

3. 
   Sphere | Jun 01, 2009 03:42am | #12

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1. 
   mikeroop | Jun 01, 2009 05:09am | #13

   Tn.

   sevierville addy but it's on English mountain on up the hill from forbidden caverns