How to Adjust Your Thermostat for Changing Temperatures

Most people look forward to spring because the warming temperatures herald the return of summer. However, the changeover between seasons isn’t always smooth. Depending on where you live, you may have to endure some wintery days intermingled with quite warm temperatures in a single week. This makes it challenging to control 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 unsure about how to set the HVAC system. Should you keep the AC on all night or switch to heating for comfort the next morning? This very common challenge doesn’t have a single solution. The key to a comfortable, energy-efficient home is to adopt the right strategies until Mother Nature makes up her mind. Here are some indispensable tips and tactics 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 simplest moves you can make for your furnace and air conditioning system. Unlike older thermostats that offer minimal control, programmable thermostats let you set your chosen temperatures based on your schedule and comfort preferences. When you do this, you can save power 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 particularly useful attribute is the ability to quickly switch between heating and cooling modes. This advanced functionality makes changing temperatures much easier to handle. Smart thermostats that have this feature have a distinct heat/cool mode that automatically switches from your furnace to your AC when it senses indoor temperature swings. This simply means that on a spring day that starts out cold and warms up by the afternoon, your thermostat can heat your home in the morning and cool it back down as the temperature rises, all by itself.

Establish a Temperature Everybody is Comfortable With

Finding your family’s ideal comfort zone is difficult when you’re dealing with temperature fluctuations. Ideally, you should set a temperature in the high 60s on cold days and high 70s on warm days to find 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 manage everything.

If the struggle over the thermostat will not go away in spite of your best efforts to keep everyone comfortable, it may be time to start thinking about home zoning. This system combines several thermostats and ductwork dampers to direct air where it’s needed most. Zoning is especially useful in two-story homes and those with expansive windows. You can use zoning to keep the whole house at a more consistent temperature or allow individuals to set the temperature in their area according to their comfort desires. As an example, Dad may possibly want a cooler temperature in the home office, and the baby might require a warm, cozy nursery to nap in. In any event, 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 easy to improve your comfort with an outfit change instead of having to make a thermostat adjustment. This increases your comfort and decreases your dependence on heating and cooling.

Open Up Windows and Use Fans

Take advantage of mild outdoor temperatures to help get your home more comfortable. As an example, your furnace could 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 allow sunlight and a warm breeze into the building. If your home starts to get too hot, close the windows and switch on ceiling fans to produce a wind chill effect. This may reduce the need to turn on your AC.

Don’t Overlook HVAC Maintenance

Even if you run your heating and cooling system less in the spring, scheduled maintenance is still essential to avoid unexpected repair visits. Here’s how to keep your HVAC equipment running without problems:

• • Check the air filter monthly and change it when it is dirty.

• • Make sure the condensate drain is clear of obstructions.

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

• • Seal and insulate the ductwork.

• • Arrange duct cleaning.

• • Use a hose to wash off the outdoor AC unit, clear away nearby debris and cut back surrounding vegetation.

• • • Contact an HVAC company for professional AC maintenance.

We’re Here for Your HVAC Needs

If you still have a problem using your HVAC system to cope with up-and-down temperatures, turn to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We provide fast, effective solutions tailored to your comfort needs in the U.S.. Our commitment to excellence is apparent thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not extremely happy with our service, you can count on the team at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to make it right. For help solving your home comfort issues, contact us at 866-397-3787 today.