How to Adjust Your Thermostat for Changing Temperatures

Most people enjoy spring because the warm temperatures are a sign of the return of summer. Then again, the transition isn’t always easy. Depending on where your home is located, you could encounter some very chilly days intermingled with quite warm temperatures in the span of a week. This makes it tricky to manage how warm or cold it is inside your residence.

The challenge of fluctuating temperatures—where it’s cool one day and warm the next—may leave you at a loss about how to set the HVAC system. Should you keep the air conditioning on all night or change to heating for comfort the next morning? This all-too-common dilemma doesn’t have just one remedy. The answer to a comfortable, energy-efficient dwelling is to embrace the right strategies until Mother Nature makes up her mind. Here are some indispensable tips and techniques to adapt your HVAC system during up-and-down temperatures this spring.

Purchase a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

Investing in a programmable or smart thermostat is one of the best steps you can make for your furnace and air conditioning system. Unlike older thermostats that offer limited control, programmable models let you set your chosen temperatures based on your schedule and comfort preferences. This way, you can save energy while you’re not in the home, with automatic recovery periods that resume a comfortable setting before you get back.

A smart thermostat is better still. One standout feature is the ability to quickly transition between heating and cooling modes. This advanced functionality makes up-and-down temperatures much easier to handle. Smart thermostats that come with this function have a special heat/cool mode that automatically switches from your furnace to your air conditioner when it detects indoor temperature shifts. This means on a spring day that starts out cool and warms up later in the day, your thermostat can heat your home in the morning and cool it back down as the temperature rises, all on its own.

Find a Temperature Everybody is Comfortable With

Finding your family’s ideal comfort zone is tricky when you’re dealing with temperature fluctuations. If at all possible, you should set a temperature in the high 60s on cool days and high 70s on warm days to achieve a balance between comfort and energy efficiency. Do not hesitate to make adjustments throughout the day based on real-time temperature changes—or switch your smart thermostat to heat/cool mode and let it handle everything.

If the battle over the thermostat rages despite your best efforts to keep everyone comfortable, it may be time to look into getting home zoning. This system combines numerous thermostats and ductwork dampers to get air where it’s needed most. Zoning is especially helpful in two-story homes and those with grand windows. You can use zoning to keep your entire house at a more consistent temperature or enable individuals to set the temperature in their area according to their comfort preferences. As an example, Dad may want a cooler setting in the home office, while the baby may need to have a warm, cozy nursery to nap in. In any event, zoning is the remedy.

Wear Layered Clothing

In spring, it’s typical to wear jeans and a sweatshirt in the morning, followed by shorts and a tank top later in the day. Wear layers so it’s convenient to stay comfy with an outfit change rather than having to make a thermostat adjustment. This enhances your comfort and lowers your use of your home heating and cooling.

Throw Open Your Windows and Use Fans

Make the most of mild outdoor temperatures to help keep your home more comfortable. For example, your furnace may run in the morning after a cold night, and continue running throughout the day as the temperature rises outside. Or, you could heat your home naturally by opening the windows to let sunlight and a warm breeze into the building. If the indoor temperature gets too warm, close the windows and start up ceiling fans to produce a wind chill effect. This may reduce the need to run your air conditioner.

Don’t Ignore HVAC Maintenance

Even if you run your heating and cooling system less in the spring, regular maintenance is still critical to avoid unexpected repair visits. Here’s how to keep your furnace and air conditioning equipment running properly:

• • Examine the air filter monthly and change it when it looks dirty.

• • Make sure the condensate drain is isn’t blocked.

• • Dust the air registers and make sure they’re all open and unobstructed.

• • Seal and insulate the ductwork.

• • Schedule duct cleaning.

• • Gently spray off the exterior AC unit, clear away all debris and trim back surrounding vegetation.

• • • Schedule professional AC maintenance.

We’re Here for Your HVAC Needs

If you still have trouble with how to use your HVAC system to cope with up-and-down temperatures, turn to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We provide fast, effective solutions for your comfort needs in the U.S.. Our commitment to quality is apparent thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not totally happy with our service, you can expect the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to make it right. For help with any of your home comfort issues, call us at 866-397-3787 today.