Set the thermostat to at least 55° Fahrenheit to prevent pipes from freeze damage. Having your heating system inspected/serviced is always a good idea to ensure reliability and performance when needed.
But while a lower temperature may reduce your heating bill, it could mean disaster if a cold temperatures hit, and your pipes freeze and burst. This doesn't mean you have to keep your house as warm as normal — any temperature 55 degrees or higher is appropriate to keep your pipes safe.
Open your attic trap door to help keep the temperature in your attic the same as in the rest of the house and prevent pipes freezing.
Generally, houses in northern climates are built with the water pipes located on the inside of the building insulation, which protects the pipes from subfreezing weather.
Foam pipe sleeves, commonly made from flexible, lightweight foam like polyethylene or rubber, are a user-friendly insulation option for outdoor water pipes. Designed to fit snugly, they provide an effective thermal barrier, helping to maintain water temperature and reduce the risk of freezing.
No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break. Pipes that freeze most frequently are: Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
Don't turn your thermostat down below 65 degrees during extreme cold. Further drops in temperature could be enough to cause a problem, especially inside walls where pipes are located. Your heating bill may go up a little, but that's better than an expensive repair job if a pipe freezes and bursts.
68 to 72 degrees is a temperature range that is not too warm or cool, and is sufficient enough to warm up the home just enough so that everyone is comfortable regardless of the type of clothing they have on.
Pipes run the risk of freezing at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if they're not insulated, but most insulated pipes start to freeze at 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
In general, you should let at least one faucet drip in each section of your home.
Antifreeze for homes is a liquid that contains chemicals that lower the freezing point of water, protecting pipes and other plumbing components from bursting. Without anti-freeze, residual moisture in plumbing systems can freeze and expand, causing cracks in the pipes, joints, or other fittings in a plumbing system.
If insulation is not an option, consider wrapping them with rags, newspapers, trash bags, plastic foam, or bubble wrap.
The reason it's important to let your faucets drip is because water expands as it freezes. If the water is in a container, even something such as a plastic or metal pipe, as it freezes, the water will create pressure back on that container as it becomes ice.
Allowing a small quantity of water to continually move through the pipes usually prevents freeze-up. Opening taps just enough to cause them to drip fast is another freeze prevention technique.
In some cases, an investment of a few dollars to protect at-risk pipes could save you thousands of dollars, not to mention the heartbreak and hard work that comes with a burst pipe. For the long term, add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in those areas.
Yes, open doors are generally better in winter to maintain a consistent temperature. They allow your heating system to distribute warm air evenly across rooms, improving comfort and efficiency while preventing energy waste.
Airseal The Attic
The cold air that passes through small gaps and holes on the walls causes the temperature to drop inside the home, which could potentially freeze indoor pipes. Airseal your attic by locating holes that let cold air in. Use spray foam insulation to seal holes, window cracks, or openings on doors.