On Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:01:07 -0600, "Freckles"
wrote:

termtests wrote in message
.. .
We're going through a nasty cold spell right now (-13F/-25C to
-22F/-30C) and it's expected to last for quite a while yet. And my
coworker suggested that I turn the main water valve off in the house
before I leave in a couple of days for a vacation.

I will still have my furnace running when we leave for vacation, but I
plan on having it maintain a temperature of 60F/15C while we're away.

Is turning the main off still a good idea? Also, should the furnace
be set at a little higher temperature while we're away when taking the
outside temperature into account? Thanks for your time and courtesy.

I would turn the water to the house off if there was any chance a power
failure could result in your furnace stoppong to work.

Come to think of it, we have had a three power outages in my area last
month or so, the latest two happening just last night within hours of
each other. The power was restored within about an hour after the
power went out, but who knows what can happen.

One thing I forgot to mention was, sorry for not having mentioned this
in my original question, that I have in-floor or radiant heating
system that has plastic pipes running under the basement cement floor
with hot water running through them.

Would that change whether I should the water to the house off or not?
Thanks.