How to Set Your Thermostat for Spring's Wild Temperature Swings

Spring weather is notoriously inconsistent, and temperatures can regularly shift 20 to 30 degrees in a single day. “Bouncing from morning heating to afternoon cooling causes your HVAC system to work harder than expected,” says home energy expert Mike Naughton. “This often leads to unpredictable spring energy bills.”

It can be hard to know how to manage your HVAC system when you basically have to deal with two seasons in one. But luckily, our experts are offering tips and tricks for managing your home's thermostat and these temperature fluctuations.

How to Best Keep Your Home Comfortable

Frequently adjusting your thermostat settings or bouncing back and forth between heating and cooling is typically the main reason why spring energy costs can be unpredictable. “Sticking to a simple schedule and letting your system run efficiently is the easiest way to stay comfortable without putting unnecessary strain on your system,” Naughton says.

“In spring, what really makes a difference and helps your HVAC system are four things,” says HVAC professional Kevin Goude. “Clean filters, keeping humidity between 40 percent and 60 percent, avoiding large temperature swings, and preventing the system from having to ‘catch up.’” 

The most common mistake people make in spring is overcorrecting, says Tamara Dzubay, senior director at ecobee Energy. “Whether it’s cranking the heat in the morning or blasting AC in the afternoon, those extremes add up,” she says.

Managing a Manual Thermostat

When dealing with cold mornings and warm afternoons, it's tempting to set your thermostat to heat early and then switch to AC once it gets warm out—but that puts a lot of strain on your system. “The best thing you can do is put on your heat overnight, and, in the early afternoon, switch it off as the temperature outside starts to match the temperature inside your home,” suggests Ryan Osterkamp, owner at Quality Comfort Home Services. 

He recommends pulling down your shades and blinds and making sure all windows are closed to help insulate the home and keep the cooler morning air inside. “Once it starts getting too warm inside, turn on the AC but lower the settings in one- or two-degree intervals, gradually decreasing the inside temp,” Osterkamp says. “Gradual temp changes are easier on your HVAC system and more efficient in the long run.”

Springtime HVAC Mistakes to Avoid

Night humidity matters more than temperature—especially in spring. “This means that, even if it feels cool at night, the air can still be humid,” Goude says. “Don't turn the system off completely to prevent moisture from building up indoors.”

If the temperature suddenly rises and the house feels too warm, do not drastically lower the thermostat. “Setting it too low, lower than 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, won’t cool the house faster,” Goude explains, “it just makes the system run longer and makes you turn the AC off as the house becomes too cold.”

While not strictly HVAC related, Naughton says not to overlook air leaks, gaps, and cracks around your home. Sealing these can help you save between 10 percent in annual energy costs. “Even better, these easy upgrades also keep your home more comfortable during extreme weather by reducing energy waste,” he continues.

HVAC Maintenance Spring Checklist

Get your air conditioner tuned up before spring turns into summer. “You'd think that if your AC system had issues, you'd see them the first time you turn it on—but that's not usually the case,” warns Osterkamp. “Usually you see problems happen the first time the system has to work really hard, during the first real heat wave of the year.” 

Tune-ups can't be done in cold temps, since you need the system to run. So once temperatures start to stay around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, it's time to schedule your tune-up. “It's easy to shrug off annual maintenance,” Osterkamp says, “but it can really save you from suffering without AC during a heat wave, and save money before you have to deal with emergency repairs.”

You may also want to consider upgrading your home to a smart thermostat to improve energy efficiency. “Smart thermostats really stand out here because they eliminate the need for constant adjustments,” says Dzubay. Features such as occupancy sensing and schedule assistant allow automatic temperature control based on your routine, providing consistent comfort and energy savings. “The goal is to let your home work with the weather, not against it,” Dzubay says. “And if your thermostat can take on some of that work for you, even better.”