Fall can be a difficult transitional season because temperatures often dip at night and then rise again in the daytime. You may not need to turn on the air conditioning or heat just yet, but you want to stay comfortable in your home. Here are some tips from our HVAC professionals to keep your home at the right temperature and humidity levels throughout the fall.
Open Your Windows
Since Central Pennsylvania temperatures are typically mild in autumn, you can take advantage of the outdoor air by opening your windows during the day. However, keep in mind that this will let in fall allergens. If you’re concerned about indoor air quality, you may want to close the windows and turn on your air conditioner instead.
For chilly fall days, simply open your curtains in the daytime to let the sun’s heat come into your house, then close them in the evening to keep that heat contained inside. This is a great way to keep your home warm without turning on the heat.
Seal Cracks in Your Home
If you find your home is too chilly at night, even with the heat on, poor insulation could be to blame. Look for cracks in places like windows and doors and seal them with caulking or weatherstripping. A properly insulated home may not even need the heat to stay warm in the fall.
Program the Temperature
One of the trickiest aspects of fall weather is the fact that temperatures rise in the day, then dip at night. It’s an overwhelming task to keep up with the daily temperature fluctuations. Luckily, there are plenty of programmable and smart thermostats that allow you to easily adapt to temperature changes.
Smart thermostats can even learn from your regular heating and cooling needs and then adjust automatically so you don’t have to worry about checking the temperature. This makes them a great option for keeping up with the constant temperature changes that come with fall.
Note that you will likely need to program your thermostat a few degrees lower than you might think to stay cool, depending on the temperature and relative humidity outside. A common misconception is that keeping the thermostat at a constant temperature will keep your home feeling comfortable. In reality, your AC needs to work harder to keep up with humid days. Combat this by adjusting the temperature accordingly.
Run Your Dehumidifier or Humidifier As Needed
As an alternative to turning on your AC or heat, run a whole-home dehumidifier or humidifier instead. These devices can run independently of your air conditioner and heating. Adding or removing humidity from the air is usually all it takes to make your home comfortable.
While there are portable models available, whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers are often the most effective option since they can control humidity levels throughout your home, whereas portable models can only be used in a single room.
Get Ready for Heating Season with Preventative Maintenance
Fall is the ideal time to make sure your home is ready for the winter heating season. It’s best to schedule maintenance twice a year to keep your system in top shape. Consider contacting a local HVAC technician to take a look at your heating unit. You can also change out filters yourself to make sure you’re breathing clean, healthy air.
RSC Heating & Air Conditioning serves Lancaster, York, Lebanon County and beyond. We have earned the Carrier President’s Award over ten times and are a Factory Authorized Dealer. Contact us today to schedule preventative maintenance, or browse our heating solutions for your home.
