April showers may bring May flowers, but with it also comes unpredictable weather. In Boston, spring is marked by rapid temperature fluctuations, thunderstorms, and big shifts in humidity from day to day.
Staying cozy indoors when the weather changes so frequently can be challenging and requires some forethought. Here’s what you can do to protect your home comfort and how N.E.T.R., Inc. can help.
Watch the Weather
Keeping an eye on the weather and any upcoming changes that are predicted is key to knowing what settings to use for your HVAC system. For example, if rain is in the forecast, you’ll need to be prepared to manage the extra humidity. If you have a ductless system, you can use the dry setting.
If the temperature is anticipated to increase sharply, you can be ready to switch to your cooling system or open the windows depending on how high it gets. In the spring, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to use air conditioning during the hottest part of the day and a low heat setting at night.
Let Your Thermostat Do the Heavy Lifting
Having a programmable thermostat can be a big help when the weather keeps changing. This device allows you to set separate preferred temperatures for different times of the day, so your system automatically adjusts your home heating or cooling to your schedule.
While this is useful for things like reducing your energy use while you’re away from home, it’s also helpful during inconsistent weather in the spring and fall. For example, you could program your system to shut off in the morning when the days are warm enough that you don’t need heat and turn back on in the evening when outdoor temps drop.
Or, you could program your system for the week ahead based on predicted weather patterns. If you do this, just remember to update your settings if the forecast changes.
Add Insulation to Your Home
Insulation keeps warm or cool air inside your home instead of it seeping out through tiny openings you likely can’t even see. It also blocks outdoor air from getting in. This is key when you’re not sure what the weather will do next.
Good insulation protects your home from temperature fluctuations outside, allowing your system to heat or cool your space evenly from end to end. Make a habit to check your insulation periodically and add more where it looks thin, damaged, or worn out.
Manage Your Humidity
The humidity of your home has a lot to do with your home comfort. If your house is too humid, it can feel hot, sticky, and muggy, even with the air conditioner on. Conversely, if your home isn’t humid enough, you can experience bothersome health effects like dry skin, eye irritation, sinus problems, and even the worsening of chronic conditions like asthma and other lung diseases.
You can mitigate the issue of too little or too much humidity with just 3 things – a hygrometer, a humidifier, and a dehumidifier. A hygrometer senses the humidity of your air, which ideally should be between 30% to 50% without dropping below 20% or going over 60%. If your indoor humidity is outside of the desired range, you can use your humidifier or dehumidifier to add or remove moisture in your air as needed.
Upgrade to Inverter Technology
Traditional HVAC systems have fans that operate at fixed speeds based on the settings of your thermostat. Newer systems may have a handful of speeds to choose from, while older systems may only let you choose between high, medium, and low settings.
However, inverter technology allows a system to automatically adjust fan speeds depending on outdoor weather conditions and user preferences. No matter what Mother Nature decides to throw your way, you’ll be ready for it when you upgrade to inverter technology.
Stay Comfortable in Unpredictable Weather with N.E.T.R., Inc.
Unpredictable weather is a given for the spring season in Boston, but that doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable. At N.E.T.R., Inc., our team works hard to stay ahead of the climate change curve by offering our valued customers with energy efficient and cost effective heating and cooling options.
Contact us to learn more about how we can help optimize your home comfort in every season or to get a quote on upgrading to inverter technology. Call now at (781) 757-5734 or complete our short contact form and our technicians will get in touch with you.
