The short answer: an empty house in winter faces two big risks, and only one of them is a burglar. The bigger threat is usually a heating failure or a burst pipe that nobody notices for weeks. A monitored alarm with low-temperature and water sensors, plus a few simple steps before you leave, covers both.
Every year we get calls in March from homeowners who came back from Florida, or opened up a summer place in Long Beach, Point Lookout, or the Hamptons, and found a flooded basement or a frozen, split pipe. Almost every one of those calls was preventable.
Why Empty Homes Are at Higher Risk
- No one is there to notice. A furnace that quits on a 15-degree night can lead to frozen pipes within hours.
- Water damage compounds. A slow leak running for three weeks does far more damage than one caught in three minutes.
- Empty homes look empty. Unshoveled walks, piled-up packages, and the same dark windows every night are easy signals for a burglar.
The Pre-Departure Checklist
1. Make sure your alarm is monitored, not just local
A siren nobody hears doesn’t help much in an empty house. Confirm your system reports to a 24/7 central station and that your emergency contact list is current, especially a local key holder who can get inside.
2. Add a low-temperature (freeze) sensor
A freeze sensor alerts the monitoring station when the temperature inside drops, usually somewhere around 40 to 45 degrees. That gives you time to get a heating contractor out before pipes freeze. See our environment monitoring service.
3. Put water sensors where leaks start
Water heater, washing machine, under sinks, near the boiler, and in the basement by the sump pump. Learn more about water leak detection.
4. Consider an automatic water shut-off valve
A sensor tells you there’s a leak. An automatic water shut-off actually stops it, closing the main line the moment a sensor gets wet. For a home that will sit empty for months, this is one of the best investments you can make.
5. Check your cameras and remote access before you go
Make sure you can log in from your phone, that the recorder is actually saving footage, and that your doorbell camera is charged or hardwired. Don’t find out in January that the app was logged out.
6. Make it look lived in
- Put interior lights on timers or smart switches
- Arrange for snow removal and mail or package holds
- Ask a neighbor to keep an eye out and park in the driveway occasionally
7. Replace the panel battery and test the system
If your alarm panel battery is more than three to five years old, replace it before you leave. A power outage plus a weak battery means a silent system. Our Outage Center explains what happens to your alarm when the power goes out.
What a Good Setup Looks Like
For most closed-up Long Island homes, we recommend a monitored alarm with a cellular communicator, one freeze sensor, three to five water sensors, an automatic shut-off valve on the main, and at least a doorbell camera plus one camera covering the main entry. That combination protects the house from both people and water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I leave the heat at in an empty house?
Most plumbers recommend keeping the thermostat no lower than about 55 degrees in an unoccupied home. A freeze sensor is your backup in case the heat fails.
Can I add freeze and water sensors to my existing alarm?
In most cases, yes. Most modern panels accept wireless environmental sensors, and they report to the same monitoring station as your burglar alarm.
Will my homeowner’s insurance give me a discount?
Many insurers offer discounts for monitored alarm, water, and freeze protection. Ask your agent, and we can provide an alarm certificate.
Talk to a Local Expert
CWC Security has protected homes and businesses across Nassau and Suffolk County since 2012. Call us at (516) 889-3600 or request a free consultation and we’ll walk your property and tell you exactly what makes sense, and what doesn’t.