How to Adjust Your Heating and Cooling System for Fluctuating Temperatures
Most people enjoy spring because the mild temperatures signal the return of summer. Unfortunately, the transition isn’t always calm. Depending on where you reside, you may have to endure some wintery days intermingled with near-summer temperatures in the span of a week. This makes it difficult to regulate how warm or cold it is inside your residence.
The issue of drastically changing temperatures—where it’s cold one day and warm the next—may leave you at a loss about how to set the HVAC system. Should you keep the AC on all night or change to heating for comfort the next morning? This very common dilemma doesn’t have a single answer. The key to a comfortable, energy-efficient home is to use the right strategies until Mother Nature makes up her mind. Here are some essential tips and practices to adjust your HVAC system during up-and-down temperatures this spring.
Install a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
Investing in a programmable or smart thermostat is one of the easiest steps you can make for your HVAC system. As opposed to older thermostats that offer minimal control, programmable designs let you set your preferred temperatures based on your schedule and comfort desires. By doing this, you can conserve power while you’re out and about, with automatic recovery periods that resume a comfortable setting before you get back.
A smart thermostat is better yet. One particularly useful attribute is the ability to easily switch between heating and cooling modes. This advanced functionality makes changing temperatures much easier to contend with. Smart thermostats that come with this function have a special heat/cool mode that quickly switches from your furnace to your AC when it recognizes indoor temperature changes. This means on a spring day that starts out chilly and warms up later in the day, your heating and cooling system can heat your home in the morning and cool it back down as the temperature rises, all by itself.
Establish a Temperature Your Entire Household is Comfortable With
Finding your family’s ideal comfort zone is difficult when you’re dealing with temperature fluctuations. If at all possible, you should set a temperature in the high 60s on cold days and high 70s on warm days to strike a balance between comfort and energy efficiency. Feel free to make adjustments throughout the day based on real-time temperature changes—or set your smart thermostat to heat/cool mode and let it handle everything.
If the battle over the thermostat continues despite your best efforts to keep everyone comfortable, it may be time to consider home zoning. This system uses numerous thermostats and ductwork dampers to send air where it’s needed most. Zoning is especially beneficial in two-story homes and those with expansive windows. You can use zoning to keep every room in the house at a more consistent temperature or let individuals to change the temperature in their area according to their comfort settings. As an example, Dad may possibly want a cooler setting in the home office, whereas the baby may need a warm, cozy nursery to nap in. In either case, zoning is the remedy.
Wear Layered Clothing
Spring is all about jeans and a sweatshirt in the morning, followed by shorts and a tank top in the afternoon. Wear layers so it’s convenient to stay comfy with an outfit change instead of having to make a thermostat adjustment. This increases your comfort and lowers your dependence on heating and cooling.
Open Up Windows and Run Fans
Take advantage of mild outside temperatures to help get your home more comfortable. For example, your furnace might run in the morning after a cold night, and continue running throughout the day as the temperature gets warmer outside. Or, you could increase the temperature in your home naturally by opening the windows to bring sunlight and a warm breeze into the building. When things heat up too much, close the windows and switch on ceiling fans to produce a wind chill effect. This may reduce the need to run your air conditioner.
Don’t Overlook HVAC Maintenance
Even if you operate your furnace and air conditioning system less in the spring, regular maintenance is still critical to avoid unexpected repair visits. Here’s how to keep your HVAC equipment running properly:
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- Check the air filter monthly and change it when it appears dirty.
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- Make sure the condensate drain is clear of obstructions.
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- Dust the air registers and make sure they’re all open and unblocked.
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- Schedule duct cleaning.
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- Gently spray off the exterior AC unit, clear away any debris and trim back surrounding vegetation.
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- • Schedule professional AC maintenance.
Your Comfort, Our Commitment
If you still have difficulty adjusting your HVAC system to cope with up-and-down temperatures, turn to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We provide fast, reliable solutions for your comfort needs in the U.S.. Our dedication to excellence is apparent thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely happy with our service, you can expect the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to make it right. For help with all of your home comfort challenges, phone us at 866-397-3787 today.