How to Adjust Your Heating and Cooling System for Wildly Swinging Temperatures

Most people look forward to spring because the mild temperatures herald the return of summer. Then again, the transition isn’t always easy. Depending on where you reside, you may possibly experience some wintery days intermingled with unseasonably hot temperatures in the same week. This makes it tricky to control how warm or cold it is inside your residence.

The problem of fluctuating 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 conditioning on all night or flip the thermostat mode over to heating for comfort the next morning? This seasonal dilemma doesn’t have one answer. The secret to a comfortable, energy-efficient dwelling is to adopt the right strategies until Mother Nature makes up her mind. Here are some essential tips and practices to best manage your HVAC system during changing temperatures this spring.

Purchase a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

Investing in a programmable or smart thermostat is one of the simplest steps you can make for your HVAC system. Unlike traditional thermostats that offer reduced control, programmable designs let you set your chosen temperatures based on your schedule and comfort needs. When you do this, you can save energy while you’re out and about, with automatic recovery periods that resume a comfortable setting before you arrive back at your residence.

A smart thermostat is better still. One exceptional feature is the ability to easily switch between heating and cooling modes. This advanced functionality makes fluctuating temperatures much easier to manage. Smart thermostats equipped with this function have a distinct heat/cool mode that automatically switches from your furnace to your air conditioner when it registers indoor temperature shifts. This simply means that on a spring day that starts out chilly 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.

Establish a Temperature Everyone 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 aim for a temperature in the high 60s on cool days and high 70s on warm days to find a balance between comfort and energy efficiency. Be sure to make adjustments throughout the day based on real-time temperature changes—or set your smart thermostat to heat/cool mode and let it take care of everything.

If the war 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 get air where it’s needed most. Zoning is particularly advantageous in two-story homes and those with large windows. You can use zoning to keep the whole house at a more consistent temperature or enable individuals to adjust the temperature in their area according to their comfort desires. Case in point, Dad might want a cooler setting in the home office, while the baby may need a warm, cozy nursery to nap in. In either case, zoning is the solution.

Dress Appropriately

Spring is the season where you may wear jeans and a sweatshirt in the morning, followed by shorts and a tank top later in the day. Wear layers so it’s easy to get more comfortable with an outfit change instead of having to make a thermostat adjustment. This enhances your comfort and reduces your reliance on heating and cooling.

Crank Open the Windows and Run Fans

Take advantage of mild outside temperatures to help get your home more comfortable. For example, your furnace may run in the morning after a chilly 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 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 generate a wind chill effect. This may reduce the need for air conditioning.

Don’t Forget About HVAC Maintenance

Even if you use your heating and cooling system less in the spring, scheduled maintenance is still important 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 looks dirty.
    • Make sure the condensate drain is free-flowing.
    • Dust the air registers and make sure they’re all open and unblocked.
    • Hose down the outdoor AC unit, clear away nearby debris and cut back surrounding vegetation.

Call Us for Your Heating and Cooling Needs

If you still have trouble adjusting your HVAC system to cope with fluctuating 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 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 & Plumbing to make it right. For help addressing your home comfort challenges, call us at 866-397-3787 today.

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