The changing of the seasons brings a change in temperature and humidity levels. This, in turn, affects how comfortable we are when indoors or at home. In order to improve comfort levels as well as reduce energy bills, many people give their thermostats a bit of a facelift before winter kicks into full gear.
In this article from Austin AC, we will discuss what you can do to have your HVAC system ready for those cold days by discussing some important aspects of winterizing your HVAC system.
What is Temperature Gradient?
The first thing to understand about changing your thermostat settings is that there is no correct answer, only suggestions. Temperature gradient refers to the difference between indoor and outdoor temperature.
This is important to consider when changing your thermostat settings in the winter because you may choose a setting that allows indoor heat to escape while preventing heat from entering, which can result in higher energy bills and less comfort. It is also possible to choose settings that allow too much inside air to be let out while still letting too little warmth in; this causes your system to work harder than it should need to, which can wear it out more quickly and result in both poor HVAC performance and increased costs.
What You Can Do Now
So what can you do? The first thing you should always do during the fall season (or any other time of year) before changing your thermostat settings is to make sure that your HVAC system is operating as well as it can be. This means you need to have your unit serviced by a professional team of technicians, which are available through Austin AC.
The next thing you should do is familiarize yourself with how your thermostat works. Once you understand the basics, you can choose settings that will help manage temperatures throughout the house better than before. If this doesn’t result in optimal comfort or energy efficiency, try moving your thermostat further away from windows or other areas where cold drafts might enter the home.
Finally, follow up on service calls and maintenance to ensure that your HVAC system stays at peak performance level for years to come-as long as you consistently provide it the care that it needs. In addition to checking your filter regularly, clean or replace outdoor coils, and make sure nothing is obstructing exhausts.
Consequences of an Improperly Set Thermostat
You might be wondering what some of the consequences of having an improperly set thermostat are, so let’s talk about that. First off, you probably will experience a spike in your energy costs as a result of not being able to control temperatures inside your home due to improper settings.
Secondly, the equipment can fail prematurely if it is repeatedly put through too much stress. The amount of stress placed on an HVAC system increases with high outside temperatures and high humidity levels indoors-exactly what happens when your thermostat is not properly set for wintertime temperatures. In addition, if air conditioning units or heat pumps break down from overuse during hot summer months, they have to work double-time to keep up with keeping homes comfortable during the winter when they are still being used to control humidity in addition to heat.
Lastly, an improperly set thermostat can result in uncomfortable temperatures indoors due to poor air circulation throughout the home. An easy way for this to happen is by having your HVAC system’s fan setting be automatic instead of on constant circulation. With the fan constantly running without any actual heating or cooling taking place, you end up with cool spots in rooms that don’t get much warmer due to their positioning in relation to your vents and hot spots in rooms where there is no cool air movement.
Having a properly working, well-maintained HVAC system will not only give you peace of mind but also ensure that you stay comfortable during both the winter and summer seasons. This means being able to find the right HVAC Austin professionals to ensure that you get the service you need when you need it.
Common HVAC Problems During Winter and How to Respond
There are a number of problems that commonly affect HVAC systems during the winter months, which means you should also know how to respond if your unit fails to work properly.
If you hear odd noises coming from your HVAC system, such as rattling or clicking sounds, there is ice build-up somewhere in the unit, and it needs to be defrosted by a professional technician. If left unattended, the ice can cause permanent damage to internal components and result in higher energy bills due to decreased efficiency.
Another common problem is an unusual rise in utility bills-a sign that something isn’t right with your system and likely needs attention from professionals before temperatures drop again. If you notice either of these issues, call in an HVAC professional to inspect your system for needed repairs or regular maintenance.
Wintertime AC Troubleshooting at Home
Another sign of trouble is when you notice that your air conditioner seems to be constantly running when it should only run intermittently. This could indicate the presence of scale, debris, or mineral deposits in the unit’s coil-all of which can create excess strain on your compressor and cause it to fail prematurely if left unattended.
You’ll want to call a professional right away if this occurs because another common problem during wintertime with AC units is plugged condensate drains-which prevents water from draining correctly and results in water damage inside your home if not taken care of properly. An alternative problem is condensate overflow, which causes water damage and creates the perfect environment for mold growth.
If you notice any of these issues with your AC unit, call in an HVAC technician to clean your system’s drain lines, inspect for scale or debris build-up, and make repairs. You may need to change filters more frequently or make other minor repairs before temperatures drop again.