Plan heating, monitoring, access and professional winterization before leaving a Greater Vancouver home unoccupied.
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Updated 2026-09-18 · CANRO Heating & Cooling
Quick answer: Before leaving a home unoccupied, decide who will respond if heating stops or water appears. A thermostat setting alone is not a complete vacancy plan. Keep the heating strategy, monitoring arrangements, access and emergency contacts in one written record.
The right approach depends on the building, equipment, plumbing and length of absence. Do not use a universal internet temperature as proof that every pipe or room will remain protected.
Tell the relevant professionals about unheated spaces, previous freezing, exposed plumbing and any equipment that has been unreliable. BC Hydro advises maintaining sufficient home temperature to help prevent frozen pipes. That does not establish a single protective setting for all houses.
If you want to shut systems down or winterize plumbing, arrange a project-specific plan with qualified help. A water-filled heating system, domestic plumbing and a water heater can require different handling. Turning off the thermostat is not a substitute for understanding those systems.
Resolve recurring faults, leaks or unexplained shutdowns before relying on unattended operation. Check ordinary controls and homeowner maintenance according to the manuals. Do not make last-minute installer-setting changes without a clear explanation of their consequences.
If the home uses a heat pump and backup heat, ask how the intended vacancy settings interact with that arrangement. Keep the manufacturer's restart and fault instructions available for the person checking the property.
Agree the actual visit schedule directly. If an insurance policy or other agreement sets requirements, confirm them with the relevant provider; this checklist does not interpret policy conditions or guarantee coverage.
A connected thermostat or sensor can provide useful information, but ask what happens if internet service, power or the device fails. Confirm that alerts reach someone who is available and able to arrange access. An unread notification does not protect the property.
Keep account access limited to the people who need it. Test normal notifications before departure using the manufacturer's instructions, without deliberately creating an equipment fault or disabling a safety device.
Record the date of departure, responsible contacts, normal controls, known concerns and where manuals are stored. Instruct the person checking the home not to open equipment, adjust gas components or repeatedly reset breakers. An active carbon monoxide alarm requires leaving and contacting emergency services, not waiting for the owner to return a message.
On return, review any alerts or visits before changing settings back. If a system was professionally winterized, follow the agreed recommissioning process rather than assuming everything can be restored by turning on the thermostat.
Tell CANRO about your equipment, your Greater Vancouver location and the question you need answered.
📞 (604) 359-1081Contact CANROTechnical references checked 2026-09-18. The planning examples are illustrative; equipment instructions and project requirements must be checked for your home.
For help with a residential HVAC project in Greater Vancouver, contact CANRO with your equipment details and the question you need answered.
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