Keeping Your Home Comfortable Through Temperature Changes

As temperatures shift and the seasons change, it can be challenging to keep your home comfortable. With that in mind, we've created this blog to provide homeowners with fourteen tips for keeping their homes comfortable and thermostats in good condition, no matter the temperature outside.

From changing your filters to using a smart thermostat, there are several things you can do to keep your home at just the right temperature. Read on to learn more!

1. Choose an Efficient HVAC System

If you want to upgrade or replace your HVAC system, it is essential to make sure you choose an efficient design. High-efficiency systems use less energy to produce the same heat or cool air, saving you considerable energy on your bills in the long run. When selecting an HVAC system, our team recommends looking for one with an Energy Star certification and a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating. This will ensure that your new system runs efficiently with minimal energy wastage.

2. Change Your Filters Regularly

Changing filters on a schedule is the easiest way to maintain comfort and efficiency in your home. Dirty air filters make it hard for air to flow through, so your HVAC system must work harder than it should. It also allows dust, dirt, and other allergens into your home's air supply, leading to poor indoor air quality (IAQ). To ensure maximum effectiveness of your HVAC system, replace or clean your filters every one-to-three months (depending on the type of filter).

3. Use a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat can easily control when and how much energy you use throughout the day. Using pre-programmed settings, you can set different temperatures based on when you leave, enter the house, or even sleep and wake up. Upgrading gives you complete control over energy use while maintaining comfort throughout the day or night.

4. Perform Routine Maintenance

Like any other system or equipment, regular maintenance on your HVAC system ensures that all system components are functioning correctly and efficiently. This way, you get maximum comfort throughout the year. Regular maintenance can catch minor problems before they become more significant, saving you time and money for repairs and replacements. Remember to replace dirty air filters and have an HVAC expert check your system at least once a year.

5. Insulate Your Home Properly

Most people don’t realize how much insulation affects a home's ability to stay comfortable during extreme temperature changes. If a home's insulation isn't adequate or there are gaps or leaks in walls or windows, then heated or cooled air will escape faster than it should—forcing your HVAC system to work overtime to maintain desired temperatures inside your house. Ensure all walls (especially exterior) and any doors or windows leading outside the house are well- insulated for maximum efficiency and comfort inside your home during extreme temperature swings!

6. Don’t Forget to Insulate Your Attic

Insulating your attic is crucial to keeping your home comfortable year-round. In the winter, insulation prevents heat from escaping and helps keep hot air out in the spring and summer. Investing in good quality insulation will help you save money on your energy bills and ensure your home stays comfortable regardless of the temperature outside.

7. Install Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans help keep air circulating throughout a room by pushing hot air toward a ceiling where it can dissipate more quickly—thus making rooms feel cooler without turning down thermostat settings drastically. Turning on the fan helps maintain consistent temperatures and lowers energy bills since ceiling fans cost less than running an AC unit all day.

8. Utilize Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats take programmable thermostats one step further by allowing users access to their settings from anywhere via Wi-Fi-connected devices like smartphones or tablets. They never have to worry about forgetting their settings when they go away from home again! These thermostats also have additional features, such as motion sensors that detect when nobody is in a room, so electricity isn't wasted on heating/cooling empty spaces.

9. Improve Airflow Throughout Your Home

Another smart way to improve your home's HVAC efficiency is by ensuring proper airflow throughout the house. Open interior doors and use fans strategically to move air throughout your home more efficiently. Doing this will help distribute hot or cold air throughout your home so no room feels neglected. You should also ensure that furniture does not block vents, which can restrict airflow and reduce HVAC system efficiency.

10. Use a Dehumidifier

Keeping your home comfortable during warmer months can be challenging, particularly in regions with high humidity. One way to help reduce that humidity is to use a dehumidifier. This will make your home more comfortable and help prevent mold and dust mite growth, ensuring your family's health and well-being.

11. Plant Trees

Planting trees around your home has many benefits – they help provide shade, keep your home cool during the summer, and act as natural windbreaks, protecting your home from strong winds and reducing energy costs. Trees can also help reduce air pollution, provide habitat for wildlife and improve the aesthetics of your home’s landscaping. Investing in trees is an eco-friendly way to help save money on energy bills and create a healthier living environment.

12. Use a Door Sweep

Installing a door sweep is an easy and inexpensive way to reduce drafts and keep cool air inside your home. A door sweep fits snugly along the bottom of a door, creating a seal between the edge of the door and the floor. This keeps hot air out during the warmer months for additional comfort. Door sweeps are simple to install, requiring minimal effort for maximum benefit.

13. Install Window Treatments

Window treatments can be an effective and straightforward way for homeowners to help keep their homes comfortable during temperature changes. They can block out unwanted sunlight during hot days, preventing rooms from becoming uncomfortably warm and providing insulation and draft protection against cold chills during the winter.

For maximum efficiency, consider investing in energy-saving window treatments designed to help minimize heat and cool air transfer while maintaining good visibility outdoors.

14. Seal Any Leaks Around Windows Doors

Checking for leaks around windows and doors is crucial because these tiny cracks and crevices let hot and cold air escape homes. Eventually, the HVAC system will have to work harder to try and maintain desired temperatures inside homes—costing homeowners more money each month in utility bills.

You can use caulking, weatherstripping materials, or duct sealant to prevent leaks. You can also have an HVAC expert perform a blower door test to detect severe leaks.

Save Money on Energy Bills With Help from AWS Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

Keeping a comfortable home during extreme weather changes doesn't have to be complicated. Following these tips, homeowners can enjoy maximum comfort regardless of whether it's hot or cold outside! Implementing these methods will save money on monthly energy bills, and you can increase your HVAC unit's efficiency with regular maintenance and timely repairs by AWS Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Reach us at (516) 217-2196 to learn more about our services for your home.