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Winters in Pennsylvania can be harsh, with plenty of snow, ice, and bitterly cold temperatures. Not everyone will use their air conditioners during the coldest months of the year. However, some households have reversible AC systems with heating elements, such as heat pumps.
Knowing what temperature to set your air conditioner in winter can be tricky if you want to stay warm without raising energy bills too high. Topline Heating & Air, Atglen’s reliable HVAC company, knows how to maximize HVAC efficiency without excessive energy consumption. Here, our heating and cooling experts outline the best winter temperature settings for air conditioning units.
Ideal Temperature for Thermostats in the Winter
The ideal winter temperature will differ among households. Generally, the recommended temperature to set the thermostat during the winter is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. According to Energy Saver, this temperature creates a comfortable indoor environment without skyrocketing energy bills.
If your house is usually empty for several hours a day due to work and school schedules, you can further save on monthly utility expenses by dropping the thermostat a few degrees lower. Simply return the thermostat to its original setting when you get home.
How to Adjust AC Thermostat Settings at Night
Outdoor temperatures drop at night, but cool indoor temperatures help some people sleep well. About an hour before bedtime, adjust the thermostat to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If you prefer a bit of warmth at night, turn the temperature to 72 degrees.
Best Winter Practices for HVAC Systems
If you want to maximize your air conditioner’s potential, stay warm, and keep your energy costs low, follow these air conditioner tips in the winter.
1. Store All Window AC Units
If you use a window air conditioning unit to cool a single room in the summer, it’s best to remove it from the window. Window AC units don’t have heating elements, so you most likely won’t use them when outdoor temperatures drop.
Some households keep their window AC units in place during the coldest months of the year. However, not removing the appliance and carefully storing it in a warm, dry spot indoors puts the air conditioner and your home at risk for cold temperatures. If you don’t take out the AC, cold air can freeze its components and seep indoors, robbing your residence of warmth.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat
After you discover what temperature to set your air conditioner, you can increase comfort by installing a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat is an upgrade from a traditional manual model. It allows you to schedule automatic adjustments according to your indoor temperature needs.
The automation aspect of programmable thermostats makes them highly convenient. You can easily set your thermostat to a lower temperature during the day when everyone is at work or school. Then, you can program it to a higher temperature at night when everyone’s home and temperatures dip.
Altogether, programmable thermostats provide these benefits:
- Precise temperature control
- Consistent temperatures throughout the house
- Improved HVAC efficiency
- Savings on energy bills
Programmable thermostats help you regulate indoor temperatures with ease. Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostats boast even more functions. They allow for convenient temperature adjustments and scheduled changes, and you can also control the thermostat remotely using an app on a smartphone or tablet.
3. Turn on Your Furnace or Heat Pump
If you have a reversible central air conditioner with a heat pump, you’ll need to start sending warm air into your home when winter arrives. To switch from cool air to warm air, adjust your thermostat accordingly when temperatures are consistently low.
Sometimes, temperatures can drop quickly when seasons change. You might feel tempted to initiate your heat pump early in the season. However, you can keep your energy bills at a reasonable amount by waiting until temperatures are 68 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for several consecutive days.
4. Shut Down Your HVAC’s Cooling Portion
Since you don’t need your HVAC’s cooling elements during the winter, you can turn them off until temperatures rise in the spring. Use the thermostat to shut down your cooling system. If you have a programmable thermostat with smart controls, you can adjust the device through an app on your smartphone.
Ensuring your air conditioner’s cooling unit is off does not only increase your household’s comfort. The temporary shutdown also ensures that you don’t incur unintentional energy expenses if someone accidentally engages the unit’s compressor.
After turning off your AC’s cooling portion, set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature, ideally between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the thermostat as low as possible while remaining comfortable to keep your house cozy and energy bills down.
5. Cover Your Air Conditioner’s Sensitive Components
Pennsylvania winters are prone to snow, ice, and other forms of winter precipitation. Central air conditioners with and without heat pumps have outdoor equipment called compressor units. The compressor unit houses several essential components, including the compressor, fan, and condenser coil.
Today, HVAC manufacturers and designers make compressor units durable enough to withstand the elements, including winter weather. Still, it’s best to insulate the top of the equipment with a mesh-like covering to reduce the amount of debris accumulating inside the unit. A dirty or clogged condenser unit will impede the HVAC system’s airflow, significantly reducing energy efficiency.
Turn to Atglen’s Most Reliable HVAC Company for Quality Services
Now that you know what temperature to set your air conditioner in the winter, keep your home comfortable all year long with the help of Topline Heating & Air. As a five-star-rated HVAC company serving Atglen, PA and the surrounding areas, our licensed and trained technicians offer a wide range of services. We specialize in thermostat replacement, heating installation and repair, and air conditioning installation and replacement.
Request an appointment and free quote today with Topline Heating & Air by calling (717) 628-6825.