When your thermostat is set too high or too low, you are going to be uncomfortable in your home, the place you should feel most at ease. And in the meantime, you’ll be losing money on fuel costs.
While improper thermostat settings are not always the cause of heating or cooling problems (for example, your HVAC might need certain AC repairs or furnace repairs), it certainly doesn’t hurt to learn how to best regulate your thermostat.
Keep reading if you are suffering from uncomfortable home temperatures in Champaign, IL, and want to know how to fix the situation.
Why Is It Important to Regulate My Thermostat?
You might be wondering why you should make an effort to keep your thermostat regulated. If you’re too hot or too cold, you just adjust the settings, right?
That’s one way of doing it, but that method doesn’t keep your home at optimal temperatures and could be costing you money.
If you wait until you’re uncomfortable to adjust the thermostat, you will still have to sit in discomfort until the system can stabilize your home’s temperature. By the time the space reaches the desired temperatures, it might be time to leave the house for the day or go to sleep. At that point, you will probably need to adjust it again.
Such high activity creates more frequent temperature fluctuations and works your system harder than necessary. If your thermostat is pre-programmed or set using a schedule, you avoid unnecessary steps and energy waste.
We know that Champaign, IL, residents want to be both energy and cost-effective.
But if you wait until the temperature at home is unbearable before you change it, you will strain your system so much it may break down and need repairs.
How Do I Get My Thermostat Regulated?
If you want to regulate your thermostat to get the most out of your HVAC system, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Get on a Schedule
First, you will want to identify your schedule. Depending on various factors, like the season in Champaign, IL, there are very likely times during the day when you will need more climate control than others.
Different times of the day require less heating or cooling than others. You can lower the heat or lessen the AC up to 10 degrees to save money on your fuel bill during these times.
Some parts of the day that might be best for this practice are:
- Nighttime when some people prefer cooler sleep conditions
- During your workday when no one is home, and the house can be a bit warm or cool
- If you are going on a trip and no one will be at home
- When you are leaving on an errand or going out for four or more hours
Not all of the suggested time frames will work for everyone, but you might have some ideas of your own about the best times to save on fuel in the climate of Champaign, IL.
Consider Buying a Programmable Device
Depending on your schedule and what best suits your lifestyle, the next step is to figure out a thermostat regulation system that works for you.
There are two ways of maintaining a regulated thermostat:
- Setting a schedule to regulate temperatures manually
- Purchasing a programmable thermostat
If you decide to set it on your own, it’s important to remember that you will need to leave time for the system to adjust to your desired temperature. You should set the thermostat an hour or two before you want the heating or cooling adjusted.
When you opt for a programmable thermostat, you will only need to figure out the schedule once and plan for any upcoming trips or errands that would deviate from the schedule.
What Are the Best Thermostat Settings for Summer and Winter Months in Champaign, IL?
So, you decided to start keeping your thermostat on a regular schedule. The next step is to learn what temperatures you should set in order to keep your home in peak comfort when you’re around and save money when you’re away.
The key is to keep your indoor temperature very similar to the one outdoors for as long as possible.
Best Temperature for Summer Months
The best temperature to set your thermostat to when you are not in the home during the summer is about 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
That way, your home doesn’t become overwhelmingly hot, but the system also isn’t running up the fuel and electricity bill to keep the house cool.
Summer can be brutal, but your electricity bills don’t have to be. If you set the thermostat to 78 on cooler nights or the days you aren’t home, watch the money roll in with your smooth-running AC system.
Best Temperature for Winter Months
Optimal thermostat temperatures for winter months in Champaign, IL, are at around 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
This will ensure that your pipes won’t freeze while you sleep and that it won’t take long to warm up the house when you’re getting home from work.
Keep your fuel bills manageable during the winter months by keeping your home a bit cool when you’re not up and about in your home.
What If I Regulate My Thermostat and My AC/Heating System Still Acts Up?
When you regulate your thermostat by getting it on a schedule and not cranking it up or down at a moment’s notice, you should notice a more consistently comfortable temperature in your home.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t always do the trick. If your home still feels too hot or cold, the problem might not be coming from an unregulated thermostat.
Instead, there may be something wrong with your HVAC system. In that case, you will need an AC repair or furnace repair to fix the temperature regulation problem.
AC Repair or New AC Installation?
Let’s say that you regulate your thermostat to be around 78 degrees Fahrenheit in hot weather while being out of the house. You should notice a difference when the AC is on full blast.
But if the AC just can’t seem to cool down the house, even after being on for a few hours, you might need an AC repair. In some instances, a new AC installation might also be appropriate.
The heat in Champaign, IL, can get intense during the summer months. When your AC system is fully run-down and thermostat regulation just can’t seem to cut it, you will need an AC repair or AC installation to get the cold air flowing again.
Furnace Repair or New Furnace Installation?
The winters in Champaign, IL, can get icy, and you might want to crank the heat as much as possible.
But if you are being responsible and keeping the temperatures low when you’re out of the house, and the heat still won’t kick on when you’re home, you might need a furnace repair or a new furnace installation.
Most of the time, a furnace repair or (in the worst-case scenario) a whole new furnace installation will correct unregulated temperatures.
Contact the Team at Castle Home Comfort in Champaign, IL Today!
Call the team at Castle Home Comfort to learn more about the recommended thermostat settings for the winter and summer. And if that strategy doesn’t work, we are always on hand for an HVAC system repair or installation.
We have your back if you’re in Champaign, IL, and surrounding areas. Reach out today!