If you need a new thermostat or your heating system isn’t ready for winter, call us at (912) 513-3361 for help. Georgia Air is here to help keep your family comfortable all year round.
When fall arrives in Georgia, it brings relief from the sweltering summer temperatures. But even with the arrival of cooler temperatures, it can be tricky to find a comfortable thermostat setting that accounts for the fluctuations between the daytime and nighttime hours — and the potentially wild weather swings from day to day.
Finding the ideal thermostat setting for fall doesn’t have to leave you hot and bothered (or shivering under a blanket.) Our complete guide to indoor temperatures can help you achieve maximum energy efficiency while keeping your home comfortable all season long. We are Savannah’s air conditioning repair service, and you can trust our suggestions to save you money, no matter what type of heating system or thermostat you have.
Why Consistent Temperature Settings Matter
When you wake up in the morning, and it’s chilly inside your home, you might want to crank up the heat to warm things up while you get ready for the day. Then, when you get home, you walk into an overheated house and turn up the AC to try and cool down.
In either case, making constant adjustments to the thermostat, especially when they are at either extreme, isn’t the most energy-efficient way to control the indoor temperature. This approach actually increases energy costs because the HVAC system has to work harder to achieve the desired temperature. Instead, keeping the indoor temperature closer to the outside temperature can help you save up to 5% on your energy bill while still maintaining a pleasant and comfortable environment.
Keeping your thermostat setting within a few degrees of the outside temperature also helps reduce wear and tear on HVAC equipment. Excessively cold AC settings, for example, when the outside temperature is milder, can cause the coils in the unit to freeze. Putting extra strain on the HVAC can lead to mechanical malfunctions and even premature failure, so maintaining a consistent temperature is essential.
Finding the Magic Number
If maintaining a consistent temperature setting is important, what is the ideal thermostat setting for fall, then?
For most homes, keeping the thermostat at a steady 68 degrees Fahrenheit is the most comfortable and energy-efficient option. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests 68 degrees as the ideal indoor temperature during the winter (the agency suggests 78 degrees during the summer), but 68 is also ideal for fall in Georgia. Not too hot and not too cold, 68 degrees tends to be within a few degrees either way of the outdoor temperature, and the HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to keep your home comfortable.
If your family isn’t home for most of the day, you could set the thermostat a few degrees lower. The indoor temperature will likely increase throughout the day as the sun shines through the windows. Even when the heat is off or set very low, your house will still be warm when you come home.
Use Programmable Thermostats
Using a programmable or smart thermostat can help you maintain a consistent, comfortable indoor temperature in any season. Instead of manually adjusting the temperature up or down, a programmable device lets you set temperatures based on your typical schedule and lifestyle. A smart thermostat takes it a step further and can actually learn your preferences and habits and automatically adjust the settings for you.
Consistency is key to energy efficiency with a smart or programmable thermostat. In other words, once you determine the ideal thermostat setting for fall, it’s best to avoid making any adjustments. The device will control the HVAC system according to your desired temperature throughout the day and night, so you don’t have to.
To make the most of a programmable thermostat in the fall, adjust the settings, so the heat comes on only when your family is home. The Department of Energy suggests setting the thermostat to 60 degrees during the day when no one is home. You can program the heat to come on before everyone returns from work or school, so your home is warm when they arrive.
Lowering the temperature by a few degrees while you’re sleeping can also help reduce energy bills. You can maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature, even on a chilly fall evening.
Stay Comfortable Throughout the Season
Some people see 68 degrees as anything but the ideal thermostat setting for fall. For some southerners, it seems too low and they fear that they’ll feel cold inside their homes. After all, when you’re used to the heat and humidity of a Georgia summer, a shift of 25 to 30 degrees colder is significant.
As mentioned, keeping the thermostat at a steady 68 degrees helps maintain an indoor temperature that’s about the same as outside. This consistent temperature reduces strain on your HVAC equipment and energy costs while keeping humidity levels manageable. The warmer the interior of your home, the more humid it gets, and the more likely you are to have air quality and HVAC equipment issues.
The Savannah region’s mild climate means that, in most cases, residents don’t have to turn the heat up very often during the fall. If you do find that you feel chilly on a crisp autumn day, try warming up in other ways before turning up the heat. Some ways you can stay comfortable include:
- Dress in layers. Add or remove layers as needed to feel comfortable.
- Use a throw blanket to stay warm while reading or watching TV.
- Enjoy a warm beverage.
- Invest in cozy slippers to keep your feet warm.
- Open the curtains or blinds to allow the sun to warm your home.
For those accustomed to warmer temperatures, 68 degrees might seem cool at first, but most people adjust quickly.
Maintain Your Heating System for Energy Efficiency
Although selecting the ideal thermostat setting for fall is a great way to keep your energy costs in check, if your furnace system isn’t working as it should or the thermostat is malfunctioning, you’re going to struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature. Fall is the perfect time to schedule furnace maintenance. A professional inspection and tune-up ensure your heating system is in good working condition and you aren’t likely to have any problems staying warm as we move into winter.
During a furnace maintenance visit, a technician thoroughly inspects the furnace, cleans and lubricates mechanical parts, and checks for anything that could be a cause for concern. The maintenance visit also includes checking the thermostat. To function properly, the thermostat needs to be clean and precisely calibrated; if dust covers the sensors or the connections aren’t secure, for example, then the thermostat will produce inaccurate temperature readings.
Scheduling furnace maintenance ensures your family stays comfortable and that you don’t have any preventable breakdowns during the heating season.
Is Your Thermostat in the Right Place?
A poorly located thermostat is one common problem homeowners encounter when trying to set a comfortable indoor temperature. Installing a thermostat in the wrong spot — for example, directly across from a south-facing window — keeps it from accurately detecting the indoor temperature. This placement makes it harder for the heating and cooling system to achieve your desired temperature.
If your home is consistently warmer or colder than the thermostat setting, the best solution might be to relocate the thermostat. A professional HVAC technician can evaluate the device’s current location and suggest alternatives to improve efficiency and keep your home’s temperature where you want it.
Call Georgia Air Cooling & Heating for Help with All Your Thermostat Needs
If you need help determining the ideal thermostat setting for fall, installing a new thermostat, or thermostat repairs, call our team at Georgia Air Cooling & Heating. We have experience working on all types of heating systems and can help you select the perfect thermostat to save money. We can install programmable, non-programmable, and smart thermostats, ensuring they work perfectly so you get the most from your heating and cooling systems.
Georgia Air Heating & Cooling is the first choice of Savannah and Southeast Georgia homeowners for high-quality HVAC services, including installation, maintenance, and repairs. We stand behind our work with a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee and take our responsibility to keep your family warm seriously. If you are unhappy with our work, we will do whatever we can to make things right.
You can rely on our Georgia Air Heating & Cooling team for service whenever you need it. We offer 24/7 emergency service, convenient scheduling, and competitive financing. Our certified technicians provide fast, friendly, and reliable service, so make us your trusted source for all your heating and cooling needs.
If you want to know more about the ideal thermostat setting for fall or need help with your heating system, make an appointment. Call us today at (912) 513-3361 or use our online booking tool.