How to Adjust Your Thermostat for Changing Temperatures

Most people appreciate spring because the mild temperatures herald the return of summer. Unfortunately, the change between spring and summer isn’t always calm. Depending on where you reside, you could have to endure some wintery days intermingled with unseasonably hot temperatures in the same week. This makes it challenging to control your indoor climate.

The problem of fluctuating temperatures—where it’s cool one day and warm the next—may leave you unsure about how to set the HVAC system. Should you keep the air conditioner on all night or change to heating for comfort the next morning? This very common dilemma doesn’t have just one 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 easy-to-use 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 easiest steps you can make for your heating and cooling system. In contrast to older thermostats that offer modest control, programmable systems let you set your chosen temperatures based on your schedule and comfort desires. By doing this, 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 even more advanced. One standout function is the ability to automatically switch between heating and cooling modes. This advanced functionality makes fluctuating temperatures much easier to contend with. Smart thermostats that have this function have a special heat/cool mode that quickly switches from your furnace to your cooling system when it registers indoor temperature changes. This simply means that on a spring day that starts out cold 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 on its own.

Find a Temperature Everybody 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 maintain a temperature in the high 60s on chilly days and high 70s on warm days to achieve a balance between comfort and energy efficiency. Do not hesitate to make changes throughout the day based on real-time temperature changes—or turn your smart thermostat to heat/cool mode and let it handle everything.

If the war over the thermostat rages in spite of 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 direct air where it’s needed most. Zoning is very helpful in two-story homes and those with expansive windows. You can use zoning to keep your entire house at a more consistent temperature or let individuals to change the temperature in their area according to their comfort desires. Case in point, Dad may want a cooler temperature in the home office, whereas the baby may need to have a warm, cozy nursery to nap in. In any event, zoning is the remedy.

Dress in Layers

Spring is all about jeans and a sweatshirt in the morning, followed by shorts and a tank top a few hours later. Dress in layers so it’s convenient to improve your comfort with an outfit change as an alternative to having to make a thermostat adjustment. This raises your comfort and lowers your dependence on heating and cooling.

Throw Open Your Windows and Run Fans

Reap the benefits of mild outside temperatures to help make your home more comfortable. For example, your furnace might run in the morning after a chilly 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 your home. If your home starts to get too hot, close the windows and switch on ceiling fans to create a wind chill effect. This may prevent the need to run your air conditioner.

Don’t Forget About HVAC Maintenance

Even if you use your furnace and air conditioning system less in the spring, regular maintenance is still essential to avoid unexpected repair visits. Here’s how to keep your HVAC equipment running without problems:

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

• • Make sure the condensate drain is free-flowing.

• • Dust the air registers and make sure they’re all open and not covered by furniture, rugs or appliances.

• • Seal and insulate the ductwork.

• • Schedule duct cleaning.

• • Hose down the outdoor AC unit, clear away nearby debris and trim back surrounding vegetation.

• • • Set up professional AC maintenance.

Your Comfort, Our Commitment

If you still have a problem with how to use your HVAC system to cope with up-and-down temperatures, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide fast, effective solutions tailored to your comfort needs in Fort Lauderdale. Our commitment to quality 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 to make it right. For help solving your home comfort issues, contact us at 954-736-4314 today.