With the cooler air of fall beginning to circulate, some homeowners have begun to wonder when they should kick on the heater. If you fall into that category, you probably already know that switching back and forth from cooling to heating can be hard on your HVAC system, so it is best to ease into heating your house. Caring for your heater is important for proper furnace maintenance. Here are a few things to do in order to make the transition easier on your system.

Set A Temp Range

Some homeowners make the mistake of presetting a specific temperature for their home, which usually ends up with them sweating or freezing, and not much in between. Instead, it is a good idea to set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature range. This allows your thermostat to do the work on its own by trying to keep your home within that range, while compensating for temperature variations throughout the day. With a range, your heater will not have to work as hard, which will make the transition easier.

Use A Learning Thermostat

A learning thermostat is one that can detect patterns in how you heat or cool your home. They can be extremely helpful when trying to save money, as well as when making the switch from cooling to heating. A learning thermostat can tell when a home is occupied and when it is not. When no one is home, the heater shuts off, allowing the home to cool down and the heater to have a break. Then, before residents get home, the thermostat tells the heater to get back to work. Taking these occasional breaks is good for the heater and also for your pocketbook.

Take Advantage of the Chill

A final way to make the transition to heating easier on your HVAC system is to take advantage of the chilly evenings. Instead of heating up your home while you sleep, turn on the fan to circulate the cool air, and cuddle up with blankets. Most people have better sleep when their environment is colder, and your heater will benefit from the night off. 

In conclusion, you do not need to shock your HVAC system by drastically changing the temperature in your home overnight. Doing so could result in your family members getting sick from the change in humidity which happens when air is heated. Instead, ease into a warmer home. If you have questions, contact a company like Polar Aire Heating & Cooling Inc near you about furnace maintenance services.