Empty house heating and winter weather

Danny Dwyer

We inherited a family house in The West, built in the 60s (poor insualtion) but with central heating. To avoid internal burst pipes, does anyone have any ideas as to what the timer settings should be on the house heating to minimise the chances of internal burst pipes? (The timer is now on for 03.00-3.45, 06.00-07.00, 12.15-13.00, 18.00-19.00, 23.00-00.30)

Thoie

Danny Dwyer wrote: »

We inherited a family house in The West, built in the 60s (poor insualtion) but with central heating. To avoid internal bust pipes, does anyone have any ideas as to what the timer settings should be on the house heating to minimise the chances of internal burst pipes? (The timer is now on for 03.00-3.45, 06.00-07.00, 12.15-13.00, 18.00-19.00, 23.00-00.30)

If the house is completely empty, and no-one's going to be in there for months, have you considered turning the water off at the mains and draining the system?

awec

If you're going away for the entire winter it may be worth draining your cold water system?

Other than that, put the heating on a pretty low temp, leave cupboard doors open and leave the attic hatch open to allow warmer air to get up there.

the_syco

Danny Dwyer wrote: »

To avoid internal bust pipes

Would be an option to turn the tap off at your mains, and drain the pipes?

garbanzo

It is a condition many holiday home insurance policies that you drain the water system between Oct and March. Obviously due to the risk of burst pipes. Check your policy carefully. It is in our case.

Your concern is probably dampness. Would putting in a few dehumidifiers help??

Ray Palmer

Drain the system is really the only way. Insurance won't cover the property otherwise. Drain the heating system too. Turn off the gas outside.

Check what the insurance company require as they really tell you the safest options.