Central Heating on whilst away

[Dris]

Im off away tomorrow for a fortnight.
Last year we didnt make it due to similar weather conditions
By the time we managed to get back from Yorkshire to Perthsire- it was only 5 days- BUT we hadnt set the heating to come on.
The goldfish were frozen to the side of the tank -we prioritised and managed to rescue them and theyre still going strong.

I'm gonna set it to come on once a day to keep the chill off and to save the goldfish.
Problem in all seriousness -how long for and morning or evening or during the night?
What do you think?
Got to think of tanks and pipes as well...

[EcclesCake]

When we go away over winter we just reduce the thermostat to about 15C, CH comes on as normal and keeps the chill out of the house.

[ethandron]

dris, whenever we go away in the winter months (which is quite a lot) we leave the heating coming on twice a day for the minimum the timer will allow. never had a problem yet.

[ChuckFickens]

When I go away I leave my timer as it it but reduce the thermostat down to about 5 - 10 degrees so it only comes on if there is a risk of anything freezing.

[ummmm]

You haven't got a combi have you?

It'll probably be cheaper to keep it on all the time but turn it down at the thermostat..

[Dris]

Nice one everyone -youve all came up trumps and seriously given me one less headache.
Have a great time everyone and i'll be thinking of you when im on my tinsy balcony with my bucks fizz in my PJ's come the 25th:) !!

[ummmm]

:-((

[Dris]

Youre right umm-I dont have a combi so im following all your sage advice -I was really concerned about the goldfish and I bl00dy mean it as well -it was horrible cos we've had them near 8yrs now (legacy of kids who have left home...)

[sandyRoe]

Would you bring us all back a bit of the heat and sunshine?

[spudqueen]

If you've got a water tank in the loft leave the loft hatch open so warm air can get up there so the tank doesn't freeze. Also leave kitchen and bathroom cupboard doors open to allow warm air to get to the pipes in there. Have a lovely holiday.

[boxtops]

Hi dris, can't you leave the goldfish in the warmest room, if you are leaving the heating on all the time but with a low thermostat? I'd leave them in the bathroom, that's where our boiler is, often warmer than anywhere else!

[vivandorron]

The main thing is to ensure that the inside temperature of the house is kept reasonably well above freezing point. Anything above 5degrees should be sufficient to ensure that the goldfish survive. spudqueen has made a good point about leaving open the loft hatch and boxtops is right to suggest that you put the goldfish in the warmest possible place. Personally I would be aiming for an approximate temperature as given by Eccles Cake.....15 degrees.

Ron

[KARL]

The lower the temperature you let your house drop to, the harder it will be to bring it back up, and correspondingly expensive. I would support advice regarding setting your thermostat to whatever temperature which you are prepared to accept as a minimum (I would suggest no less than 10). But I would leave all internal doors open so that the temperature throughout is even (otherwise you may have problens with such things as condensation at some stage) and (importantly) leave the heating on constantly and not timed - it will only be activated by the thermostat when necessary (there is no such thing as wasted or unnecessary heating, unless you want temperatures to drop uncontrollably). Unless your loft/attic normally relies on heat from the rest of the house there should be no need to deliberately vent heat into it (that would be wasteful). If you are unsure of the quality of the protection of any piping and tanks, then there are two ways to take action: one is to leave both hot and cold water running very slightly (into a sink or bath), the other (better) is to turn off the water supply and drain all pipes and tanks (except the expansion tank to the central heating).

[Dris]

Just popped back on -
KARL -we have just had the loft converted so have a new tank and everything is well lagged there so wont leave the the access doors open -thanks.
boxy-the kitchen is freezing so i'll move the tank to the lounge -ta for advice
spudqueen -will leave the doors under the sink in the kitchen -thanks.
Ron -im aiming for 15 -its an old house but has thick walls so reckon a constant 15 should keep it ticking over -thanks
Sandy -if I get there i'll whang some back to you all !
Have a great Holiday and thanks for the advice:)