How to Adjust Your HVAC System for Wildly Swinging Temperatures

Most people appreciate spring because the warming temperatures are a sign of the return of summer. Unfortunately, the change between spring and summer isn’t always calm. Depending on where your home is located, you may well have to endure some very chilly days intermingled with unseasonably hot temperatures in the span of a week. This makes it challenging to manage the temperature inside your home.

The problem of drastically changing 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 seasonal issue doesn’t have one answer. The key to a comfortable, energy-efficient home is to embrace the right strategies until Mother Nature makes up her mind. Here are some essential tips and techniques to adjust your HVAC system during changing 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. As opposed to traditional thermostats that offer reduced control, programmable thermostats let you set your chosen temperatures based on your schedule and comfort desires. This way, you can avoid using unnecessary electricity while you’re not in the home, with automatic recovery periods that resume a comfortable setting before you return home.

A smart thermostat is even better. One particularly useful function is the ability to easily change between heating and cooling modes. This advanced functionality makes changing temperatures much easier to tackle. Smart thermostats that come with this feature have a special heat/cool mode that automatically switches from your furnace to your AC when it senses indoor temperature shifts. This means 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 without you having to do anything.

Establish a Temperature Your Entire Household is Comfortable With

Finding your family’s ideal comfort zone is tricky during times of temperature fluctuations. Ideally, you should aim for 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 changes throughout the day based on real-time temperature changes—or set your smart thermostat to heat/cool mode and let it handle everything.

If the struggle 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 get air where it’s needed most. Zoning is especially advantageous in two-story homes and those with grand windows. You can use zoning to keep your entire house at a more consistent temperature or enable individuals to adjust the temperature in their area according to their comfort preferences. As an example, Dad may well want a cooler atmosphere while he works 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

In spring, it’s typical to wear jeans and a sweatshirt in the morning, followed by shorts and a tank top later in the day. 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 increases your comfort and reduces your dependence on heating and cooling.

Open Up Windows and Use Fans

Take full advantage of mild outdoor temperatures to help keep 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 increases outside. Or, you could heat up your home naturally by opening the windows to bring sunlight and a warm breeze into your home. When things heat up too much, close the windows and switch on ceiling fans to create a wind chill effect. This may reduce the need to turn on your AC.

Don’t Overlook HVAC Maintenance

Even if you run your HVAC system less in the spring, scheduled maintenance is still essential to avoid unexpected repair visits. Here’s how to keep your furnace and air conditioning 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.

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

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

We’re Here for Your HVAC Needs

If you still have trouble adjusting your HVAC system to cope with up-and-down temperatures, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide fast, reliable solutions for your comfort needs in Fort Lauderdale. Our dedication to excellence 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 solving your home comfort challenges, call us at 954-736-4314 today.