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Recommended Thermostat Settings for Winter and Summer
If you’ve lived in Weatherford, TX, for any length of time, you know that we experience a range of weather conditions. It can be near freezing during the winter and close to 100 degrees at some points in the summer.
Because of this, your furnace and AC both get a lot of work. As such, you may have wondered what the best thermostat settings are for your HVAC system. This article looks at some helpful tips.
What to Consider when Determining the Ideal Thermostat Settings
There is no single answer to this question. That’s because there are so many things to consider. Our recommendations address the following areas to find the best answer for you:
HVAC contractor recommendation for system longevity
Your comfort and preferences
Saving money on your utility bill
We’ll also cover some tips for ensuring that your cooling and heating services run efficiently.
HVAC Contractor Recommended Thermostat Settings
Here’s some good news: Unless you are setting your thermostat to extreme temperatures or wildly adjusting your thermostat up and down, your system should be just fine.
With that being said, there are some recommendations that most professionals do have. The first is to choose a setting for your thermostat and keep it there. Next, take a look at your fan setting. It should be set to auto to prevent it from running constantly.
Weatherford Thermostat Settings for Comfort and Preferences
When people discuss the comfort of their cooling and heating services, they tend to have some universal concerns. They want to be able to be comfortable and productive during the day. That means avoiding temperatures that are too hot or too cold. They also want to use thermostat settings that allow them to sleep at night.
Getting a Good Night of Sleep in Weatherford
The best room temperature for sleeping is between 60 and 67 degrees with light clothing and bedding. In Weatherford, your AC would work pretty hard to achieve those temperatures in the summer. However, that’s a pretty easy temperature for your heating system to handle effectively.
Please remember that this is the optimal temperature range for adults. Infants and toddlers need things to be between 65 and 70 degrees.
Setting Your Thermostat for Better Productivity
You want to get things done at home without shivering under your blankets in the winter or sweltering in front of a fan in the summer. If that’s the case, consider keeping your thermostat at about 71 degrees.
This temperature will help you stay comfortable enough to get those little jobs done around the house. If you have a commercial space, try this thermostat setting there to see if that makes any difference.
Thermostat Settings to Lower Your Bills
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can adjust your thermostat to get the most economical results. They call for a wintertime setting of 68 degrees. If it’s summer, boost your thermostat to 78.
What about turning your thermostat off completely? You may consider this if you are leaving home for a longer period of time or simply if you don’t want to heat or cool an empty home while you’re away at work for the day. The answer to this question depends on a few factors.
If it is summertime, and you don’t have any pets, then you can save money by turning off your air conditioner. However, the same doesn’t apply to your home in the winter. The risk is small, but turning off your furnace could lead to frozen or burst pipes.
You can save even more money on your bills if you adjust the temperature up or down when you leave home for a while or go to sleep. Basically, the smaller the difference is between your indoor and outdoor temperatures, the better.
Additional Tips for a Comfortable Home
There are some other things to consider when you want to set your thermostat for a comfortable, energy-efficient home. Start by taking a closer look at your thermostat. Has it outlived its usefulness? If so, you could be spending more money to heat and cool your home than you should be.
Upgrade Your Thermostat
If you upgrade to a smart thermostat, you will be able to control the temperature of your home when you aren’t there. Many Weatherford residents use their smart thermostats to adjust the temperature of their homes when they’re away to be much cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer.
Then, they simply change to a more comfortable temperature when they are ready to return home. Lowering your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees in the winter can save you up to 15% on your utility bills. The money you save could be worth the cost of hiring electricians to wire in your new smart thermostat.
If you don’t want to use a smart thermostat, consider upgrading to a programmable one if you haven’t already. This approach will also allow you to make those money-saving adjustments during the day.
Consistency is Key
Once you’ve chosen the right temperature for your home, try to avoid the “thermostat wars.” Constantly adjusting your thermostat up and down is bad for the thermostat and your HVAC system. Items such as fans and electric blankets can increase comfort without changing the thermostat.
Get a Professional Opinion
Your thermostat only works as well as the HVAC system it controls. That’s why it’s important to stay on top of regular maintenance and get any repairs done as soon as you notice your system isn’t working as it should.
Our trusted HVAC technicians in Weatherford can help with services and provide other recommendations to keep your home as comfortable as possible. You can also reach out to your energy provider for additional help. They may have resources to help you weatherize your home to save money and keep the temperature where you want it.
Your Comfort Is Our Goal
You should be able to maintain a home temperature that works for your family. At Hobson AC, we’re here to help with that. Our team of HVAC professionals is here to provide any services you need, and our staff also includes professional plumbers and electricians. Schedule an appointment with Hobson AC today.
Questions to Ask HVAC Technicians Before Hiring
We live in a remarkable age in which much of the information we’re looking for is readily available with a simple browser search. Unfortunately, when it comes to HVAC services, you need to know more than just who’s out there in the business. You need far more detailed information because the company you select is going to come into your home, and they’re assuming responsibility for your safety and comfort. For something that important, you want the assurance of getting the best there is.
With that in mind, here are some questions you should ask your HVAC service technician BEFORE work is done on you system.
What Kind of Experience Do You Have?
You need to ask your technicians about their experience in the art and science of repairing HVAC systems. Experience and training allows technicians to specialize in different tasks. Your technician should be able to focus on every component of the HVAC system, and that includes the main system, the vents, the ductwork, electrical wiring, clogs, and much more.
Are the Technicians Licensed?
Always choose a company that only employs licensed and qualified technicians to provide customers the best HVAC maintenance and repair services available at the most affordable prices. They will give your needs, requirements, and budget the appropriate consideration when they recommend a course of action. They’ll also be able to implement the solution effectively.
Does The Company Offer Emergency Services?
Problems with HVAC systems aren’t limited to regular business hours. The company you choose must have high-quality emergency HVAC installation, repair, and replacement services. It should be available whenever you need help no matter when that may be. A company that has been in business in the same community for many years has managed to do so by providing help on your schedule, not theirs. Companies like that believe in building strong relationships with their customers, and they will continue to take care of you far into the future.
What Kind of Services are Offered?
The company you select should offer all the services you might possibly need. That way you don’t end up calling for help it can’t provide. It should provide repair services, but it should also provide preventive services and share advice and tips for keeping your system in good working order between visits. Ask about the services the company provides. Do they check shut-off valves? Do they check hot water radiators? Do they clean heating registers, vents, and ducts? Your HVAC system is a complex system, and it requires a company capable of meeting the challenges of keeping it working for you. You also deserve a company concerned with your best interests.
Do You Run Background Checks on Technicians?
When you invite someone into your home, you have to know that person is a trustworthy individual. Before you schedule any sort of appointment with a company, ask if background checks are completed on their technicians and other representatives. Do they perform regular and unscheduled drug tests? Do they pay attention to the reviews customers give on the people they send to your home. Check its references and the comments of former customers. You need to be comfortable in the knowledge that the company you call cares about you enough to go the extra mile in ensuring your family’s safety.
Reasons to Have a Furnace / Heater Tune-Up
You may remember the old fable about the ant and the grasshopper. All spring and summer long, the grasshopper had a wonderful time enjoying the easy availability of food while he mocked the ant for working hard and storing food for the future. When winter arrived and the food was gone, the grasshopper found himself unprepared and desperate while the ant was ready for the long cold spell ahead.
That lesson applies to many things in our lives, from keeping your car’s oil changed regularly to yearly visits to your doctor to check on your own health. It also applies to being sure your heating system is ready for winter well before the first cold snap catches you unprepared.
As autumn arrives, you’ll hear heating professionals talking a lot about having your furnace maintained, and you may ask yourself, “Is a tune-up really necessary?”
The answer to that question is a simple “Yes, and it’s worth every penny of the money spent because the cost of maintenance is far less than the cost of a potential repair or even replacement.”
Saves WarrantyMost manufacturers’ warranties require consumers to properly maintain their HVAC systems to keep their warranties valid. This is perfectly understandable. After all, a warranty is in place to cover unpredictable defects the machine might have, not to cover parts and equipment that breakdown due to poor maintenance and neglect.
Saves EnergyA heating system with any sort of airflow restriction won’t run smoothly. It will also use more energy and cost you more money. On the other hand, clean, properly performing heating systems work more efficiently. They require less energy to run, and they’ll keep you and your family warm all winter long with lower electricity bills.
Saves You from Headaches and FrustrationA furnace and heater tune-up ensures your furnace will turn on and run properly. In Texas, an unexpected cold snap can happen anytime between September and Thanksgiving. When that happens, you want to be confident that your furnace will run the way it’s supposed to run and warm the way it’s supposed to warm. Anything else is unacceptable.
Saves MoneyAs in many things we encounter in life, it all comes down to money. An inefficient HVAC system can cause you to pay your electrical company by hundreds and potentially thousands of dollars each year that you wouldn’t be spending with an efficient and effective system.
In addition, having your system regularly inspected can eliminate having to shell out thousands of dollars because your warranty was voided due to neglect. It can prevent costly — and preventable — repairs down the road.
Saves LivesPerhaps the most important thing a tune-up does, however, is check for carbon monoxide leaks in your system if it uses gas. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer that needlessly kills or sickens hundreds of people each year. Modern-day homes are so tightly sealed, carbon monoxide that leaks into your house can’t escape, and that puts you and your family at a high risk of exposure.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning is relatively common, resulting in more than 20,000 emergency room visits a year in the United States. It is the most common type of fatal poisoning in many countries. In the United States, non-fire related cases result in more than 400 deaths a year.” – Wikipedia
As you can see, the benefits of having a winter furnace/heater tune-up far outweighs the expense. Give yourself the peace of mind of knowing your heater will function properly and your family will be safe this winter. To schedule your tune-up, contact us through this website. We look forward to hearing from you.
(AND… if you’d like even more savings, mention this article and book your tune-up for the special rate of just $49.00!)