Residents of San Antonio, TX are familiar with drastic temperature swings during spring. One afternoon may be sunny and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The next day, it’s a brisk 60 degrees and windy. This sort of fluctuation can wreak havoc on your HVAC system. As your unit struggles to maintain a consistent interior environment, it turns on and off to compensate for the swing. Managing these changes involves more than simply adjusting your thermostat dial. It takes a strategic approach to programming a smart thermostat.
Utilize the Auto Changeover Mode Correctly
Most smart thermostats have an Auto mode feature that allows the system to automatically switch between heating and cooling. In our climate, this is a great feature. In the mornings when it’s cool, the AC switches off automatically. In the evenings, it switches back on. You must program it with a temperature range between the heating and cooling setpoints, respectively. You can even set it so that the heat doesn’t turn on. Instead, the AC stays off, and your HVAC system doesn’t run. This keeps your home from getting too hot, meaning the AC doesn’t need to work as hard later.
If you set your temperature range too closely together, your thermostat struggles over which mode to stay in. A 68- to 70-degree range, for instance, leads to frequent switching. Instead, try setting a wider gap. For instance, 64 to 74 degrees is a practical buffer. This helps reduce wear on your compressor and ensures your furnace only runs briefly, if at all.
Set Strategic Temperature Holds for Peak Heat
The range of 2 to 6 p.m. is usually when those 90-degree spring spikes show up. You can utilize your smart thermostat and have it pre-cool the home early. This strategy only requires the AC to run long enough to keep your home in a mild range. When you need cooler air, the AC has a simplistic, short task ahead of it. This gets you to your desired temperature without using a lot of electricity.
Once the peak afternoon heat arrives, you can set a slightly higher temperature hold. The home remains comfortable regardless, since it was pre-cooled earlier in the day. Your system doesn’t have to run a marathon just to catch up. This always saves a lot of stress and wear and tear on the system.
Implement Recovery Time Settings to Prevent Short-Cycling
Short cycling is when your HVAC system turns on and off before it completes a full cycle. Turning on too often stresses the machine’s components and causes premature wear and tear. Coming to a sudden stop too often can also damage heating and cooling equipment. You can implement settings on your smart thermostat to help prevent short cycling.
You will find settings called “Cycle Rate” or “Swing” on your thermostat. You can adjust these settings to tell your thermostat to allow your temperature to vary. For instance, you might have the inside set to 68 degrees but can set it to allow a couple more degrees. This means your AC isn’t turning back on right away after cooling the home to your set temperature. Also, when it does switch back on, it runs for a full cycle instead of the “short” cycle. This allows for proper dehumidification, which keeps your home feeling cooler.
Leverage Humidity Sensors for Enhanced Comfort
In San Antonio, humidity levels can impact how a home feels temperature-wise. If the humidity is high, then 70 degrees Fahrenheit can feel nearly 10 degrees warmer. The heavy rains of spring introduce a lot of humidity to the area. Some smart thermostats have built-in hygrometers. You can program your thermostat to prioritize dehumidification. This helps the temperature feel cooler without your AC needing to work so hard.
Newer model air conditioners and smart thermostats can work together to operate your unit at a lower fan speed continuously. This low-power setting continuously pulls moisture from the air, effectively dehumidifying the home. The temperature in the mid-70s indoors can feel like the mid-60s if the air is drier. With proper humidity controls, you may never have to turn your AC to full power.
Adjust Fan Settings for Consistent Airflow
Spring days might be uncomfortable, but they typically aren’t sweltering. If you have air movement in the home with low humidity, you can still feel comfortable. By leaving your fans running, your compressor might not ever have to turn on. Stagnant air can make a room feel warmer or cooler. Running your fans might be comfortable enough. The same is true for cold mornings. Running the fans for consistent airflow may keep you from running the furnace.
With the air always moving in the home, you can avoid hot or cold spots. The air constantly circulates and remains consistent. This also prevents the thermostat from being triggered when it’s not cool or warm enough to necessitate the operation of your furnace or AC.
Use Geofencing to Manage Unpredictable Schedules
Geofencing is a great feature to use when you’re spending time away from home. This smart thermostat feature uses the location of your paired smart device to determine when you’re in range of the home. If you’re in the area and returning, for instance, the thermostat triggers your AC to cool the space before you walk in the door. When you’re leaving home, settings change to prevent energy waste. You can override these settings at any time and make remote changes.
Geofencing is much better than setting rigid schedules. You can set a typical work schedule, but that doesn’t help if you get home early or take a sick day. With geofencing, your relative position triggers the HVAC. You never waste energy cooling an empty house with this feature. Also, you never have to wait until you enter the home to turn your AC on. As soon as you’re in range, the thermostat does the work.
Trust the Experts at Rosenberg Plumbing & Air
The weather in the San Antonio region tends to go through extreme temperature swings every spring. With traditional thermostats, you’re constantly adjusting a dial to achieve comfort. Smart thermostats allow you to program your unit in such a way that they automatically adjust. At Rosenberg Plumbing & Air, we can help you by installing a new smart thermostat in your residence. Our AC services have earned us a solid reputation throughout the area as a go-to community choice. We’re a full-service HVAC company, helping ensure reliable heating for cold mornings and chilly nights. Our certified technicians can maintain or repair any major make or model of AC or furnace unit. We also handle replacements and new installations.
Contact Rosenberg Plumbing & Air today to learn more about the use of smart thermostats in San Antonio.