Spring! It’s almost upon us. Isn’t that word appropriate? We all jump at the thought of spring, while fall makes us . . . well, kind of laid back— at least in some ways.
Every season has its beauty but let’s get down to practicalities. How do you keep your home comfortable when the temperature is fluctuating wildly during the so-called shoulder season?
It’s definitely an issue. In fact, major universities (with venerable, aging buildings) issue proclamations to the student body and faculty about shoulder season. Apparently, shoulder season can cost big money if someone isn’t keeping an eye on students’ penchant for flinging open the windows on a sunny spring day while the radiators are blasting steam, and then leaving them open all night when the temperature sinks to near-freezing.
Don’t shrug off the shoulder season
The shoulder season is problematic in buildings that can either heat or cool but not both in one day. Most of us live in homes that are not quite as venerable— and a little more efficient. Nonetheless, shoulder season can present a problem. Hot days, cool nights. Rainy weekends, scorching weekdays. How do you stay comfortable and keep an eye on the energy budget while the temperature is acting like a kid goat?
For starters, turn on the AC next weekend for a test run. When the hot weather arrives, you’ll be running the system 24/7. Don’t wait until then to learn there’s a problem.
If you haven’t already scheduled a maintenance visit from your HVAC guy, do it now. (Look over our ‘routine maintenance’ page: http://www.acdoctor.com/get-educated/be-comfortable/routine-maintenance/.) Your HVAC guy should change the air filters, clean the coils, check refrigerant, clean and calibrate the blower system and check electronic connections.
This is a good time to buy a programmable thermostat, and set it so the temperature is allowed to relax— at night and during the day while you’re at work. Your HVAC guy can install a programmable and show you how to use it. (For more on that topic, see here: http://www.acdoctor.com/get-educated/be-efficient/thermostats/.)
While you’ve got the HVAC guy there, ask them to take care of shutting down the heating system, if you’re ready. And finally, if you’ve been putting it off, discuss whether you should be thinking about replacing your AC. If it’s new or in good working order, cool! But if your system is competing with the one at Columbia University for system emeritus (we’re talking 10 years or more in a home setting), it might be time to take the plunge, starting here: http://www.acdoctor.com/get-educated/repair-vs-replace/.
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