How to Adjust Your HVAC System for Fluctuating Temperatures
Most people enjoy spring because the warming temperatures are a sign of the return of summer. Unfortunately, the transition isn’t always easy. Depending on where you live, you may encounter some cool days intermingled with quite warm temperatures in the span of a week. This makes it tricky to manage your indoor climate.
The issue of drastically changing temperatures—where it’s cool one day and warm the next—may leave you feeling puzzled 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 challenge doesn’t have a single answer. The key to a comfortable, energy-efficient home is to embrace the right strategies until Mother Nature makes up her mind. Here are some important tips and techniques 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 moves you can make for your furnace and air conditioning system. As opposed to traditional thermostats that offer minimal control, programmable designs let you set your chosen temperatures based on your schedule and comfort choices. By doing this, you can save electricity while you’re out, with automatic recovery periods that resume a comfortable setting before you get back.
A smart thermostat is better yet. One particularly useful feature is the ability to quickly change between heating and cooling modes. This advanced functionality makes changing temperatures much easier to tackle. Smart thermostats equipped with this function have a distinct heat/cool mode that automatically switches from your furnace to your air conditioner when it detects indoor temperature swings. What this means is 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 by itself.
Set a Temperature Everyone is Comfortable With
Finding your family’s ideal comfort zone is challenging when Mother Nature delivers temperature fluctuations. If at all possible, you should aim for a temperature in the high 60s on cool days and high 70s on hot days to strike a balance between comfort and energy efficiency. Be sure to make changes throughout the day based on real-time temperature changes—or switch your smart thermostat to heat/cool mode and let it take care of everything.
If the war over the thermostat will not go away despite your best efforts to keep everyone comfortable, it may be time to look into getting home zoning. This system uses several 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 allow individuals to change the temperature in their area according to their comfort desires. For instance, Dad may want a cooler atmosphere while he works in the home office, while the baby may need to have a warm, cozy nursery to nap in. In any event, zoning is the answer.
Dress Appropriately
Spring is all about 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 improve your comfort with an outfit change rather than having to make a thermostat adjustment. This increases your comfort and decreases your reliance on heating and cooling.
Throw Open Your Windows and Use Fans
Take full advantage of mild spring temperatures to help get your home more comfortable. As an example, your furnace could run in the morning after a chilly night, and continue running throughout the day as the temperature rises outside. Or, you could heat your home naturally by opening the windows to bring sunlight and a warm breeze into your home. When things heat up too much, close the windows and turn on ceiling fans to generate a wind chill effect. This may reduce the need to turn on your AC.
Don’t Overlook HVAC Maintenance
Even if you use your furnace and air conditioning system less in the spring, routine maintenance is still critical to avoid unexpected repair visits. Here’s how to keep your heating and cooling equipment running efficiently:
- Inspect the air filter monthly and change it when it appears dirty.
- Make sure the condensate drain is isn’t blocked.
- Dust the air registers and make sure they’re all open and unblocked.
- Seal and insulate the ductwork.
- Plan duct cleaning.
- Use a hose to wash off the outside AC unit, clear away any debris and trim back surrounding vegetation.
- • Schedule professional AC maintenance.
Call Us for Your Heating and Cooling Needs
If you still have difficulty adjusting your HVAC system to cope with fluctuating temperatures, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide fast, practical solutions tailored to your comfort needs in Fort Lauderdale. Our dedication to excellence is apparent thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not totally happy with our service, you can count on the team at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to make it right. For help with any of your home comfort problems, call us at 954-736-4314 today.