FOR CANADIAN SNOWBIRDS GREAT TIPS YOU SHOULD KNOW

If you are a "snowbird" (someone who lives in Arizona in the winter and who goes north to another home for the summer) you may be getting ready to leave and wondering what would be the best temperature to set your thermostat for while you are away. SRP, the local electric company recommends setting your temperature between 85 and 87 to avoid excessive heat build up inside your home.

To further avoid excessive heat build up there are a couple other things to consider. Make sure that all your windows that face east, west and south are shaded from the outside with solar shade screens, awnings or landscaping. Interior blinds or shades block sunlight but they do not keep heat from entering your home.

Also turn the electric water heater off at the circuit breaker and close the cold water inlet valve. Open a couple faucets in the house to help relieve the pressure in the tank. Just remember when you return in the fall to close the faucets, open the cold water valve and wait for the tank to re-fill before resetting the breaker.

If you go away for the summer it is wise not to completely turn off your electricity. If you have fine furniture, expensive candles, or anything antique the high temperatures may harm your possessions. Also high temperatures have been known to cause seams of sheet rock to warp and peel and if left hot for longer other internal damage can occur to a home.