How to Adjust Your Thermostat for Fluctuating Temperatures

Most people enjoy spring because the warm temperatures are a sign of the return of summer. However, the changeover between seasons isn’t always smooth. Depending on where your home is located, you may well experience some very chilly days intermingled with quite warm temperatures in the span of a week. This makes it difficult to control the temperature inside your home.

The challenge 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 air conditioner on all night or switch to heating for comfort the next morning? This all-too-common issue doesn’t have one remedy. The secret to a comfortable, energy-efficient home is to embrace the right strategies until Mother Nature makes up her mind. Here are some indispensable tips and practices to best manage 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 furnace and air conditioning system. In contrast to traditional thermostats that offer modest control, programmable thermostats let you set your preferred temperatures based on your schedule and comfort preferences. This way, you can save electricity 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 attribute is the ability to quickly transition between heating and cooling modes. This advanced functionality makes changing temperatures much easier to deal with. Smart thermostats equipped with this feature have a unique heat/cool mode that quickly 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 cold and warms up later in the day, your HVAC can heat your home in the morning and cool it back down as the temperature rises, all on its own.

Establish a Temperature Everybody is Comfortable With

Finding your family’s ideal comfort zone is difficult during times of 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 manage everything.

If the battle over the thermostat continues 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 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 allow individuals to set the temperature in their area according to their comfort desires. Case in point, Dad might want a cooler temperature in the home office, whereas the baby may need a warm, cozy nursery to nap in. In any event, zoning is the fix.

Dress Appropriately

Spring is the season where you may wear jeans and a sweatshirt in the morning, followed by shorts and a tank top in the afternoon. Dress in layers so it’s very simple to get more comfortable with an outfit change as an alternative to having to make a thermostat adjustment. This enhances your comfort and decreases your reliance on heating and cooling.

Open Up Windows and Turn On The Fans

Make the most of mild outdoor temperatures to help keep your home more comfortable. For instance, your furnace might run in the morning after a cool night, and continue running throughout the day as the temperature increases outside. Or, you could increase the temperature in your home naturally by opening the windows to let sunlight and a warm breeze into your home. If the indoor temperature gets too warm, close the windows and turn on ceiling fans to create a wind chill effect. This may help you avoid the need to run your air conditioner.

Don’t Neglect HVAC Maintenance

Even if you run 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 heating and cooling equipment running properly:

• • Examine 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 not covered by furniture, rugs or appliances.

• • Seal and insulate the ductwork.

• • Schedule duct cleaning.

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

• • • Set up professional AC maintenance.

Call Us for Your Heating and Cooling Needs

If you still have trouble using your HVAC system to cope with fluctuating temperatures, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide fast, reliable 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 extremely happy with our service, you can count on the team at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to make it right. For help addressing your home comfort concerns, phone us at 954-736-4314 today.