How to Adjust Your Thermostat for Wildly Swinging Temperatures

Most people appreciate spring because the warming temperatures signal the return of summer. Then again, the change between spring and summer isn’t always smooth. 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 manage the temperature inside your home.

The issue of extremely differing temperatures—where it’s chilly one day and warm the next—may leave you unsure about how to set the HVAC system. Should you keep the air conditioning on all night or change to heating for comfort the next morning? This all-too-common dilemma doesn’t have one solution. The secret to a comfortable, energy-efficient home is to embrace 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 changing 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 furnace and air conditioning system. Unlike older thermostats that offer modest control, programmable systems let you set your preferred temperatures based on your schedule and comfort choices. This way, you can conserve energy while you’re out, with automatic recovery periods that resume a comfortable setting before you get back.

A smart thermostat is better yet. One exceptional function is the ability to easily switch between heating and cooling modes. This advanced functionality makes fluctuating temperatures much easier to overcome. Smart thermostats that have this ability have a special heat/cool mode that easily switches from your furnace to your AC when it senses indoor temperature swings. This simply means that on a spring day that starts out chilly 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.

Set a Temperature Everyone is Comfortable With

Finding your family’s ideal comfort zone is challenging when you’re dealing with temperature fluctuations. Ideally, you should maintain a temperature in the high 60s on cool days and high 70s on warmer days to achieve a balance between comfort and energy efficiency. Be sure to make modifications throughout the day based on real-time temperature changes—or switch your smart thermostat to heat/cool mode and let it handle everything.

If the battle over the thermostat will not go away even with your best efforts to keep everyone comfortable, it may be time to look into getting home zoning. This system uses numerous thermostats and ductwork dampers to get air where it’s needed most. Zoning is especially useful in two-story homes and those with large windows. You can use zoning to keep your entire house at a more consistent temperature or allow individuals to adjust the temperature in their area according to their comfort desires. As an example, Dad might want a cooler temperature in the home office, while the baby may need to have a warm, cozy nursery to nap in. In either case, zoning is the solution.

Wear Layered Clothing

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 yourself in layers so it’s easy to stay comfy with an outfit change instead of having to make a thermostat adjustment. This increases your comfort and reduces your use of your home heating and cooling.

Open Windows and Run Fans

Take full advantage of mild outdoor temperatures to help keep your home more comfortable. For instance, your furnace could run in the morning after a cold 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 the residence. 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 run your air conditioner.

Don’t Forget About HVAC Maintenance

Even if you operate your HVAC system less in the spring, regular maintenance is still essential to avoid unexpected repair visits. Here’s how to keep your furnace and air conditioning equipment running properly:

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

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

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

• • Seal and insulate the ductwork.

• • Plan duct cleaning.

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

• • • Set up professional AC maintenance.

Call Us for Your Heating and Cooling Needs

If you still have a problem 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 commitment to quality is apparent thanks to our 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not totally happy with our service, you can rely on the team at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to make it right. For help with all of your home comfort problems, phone us at 954-736-4314 today.