Does Daylight Saving Time Affect Your HVAC?

On March 11 at 2 a.m. it will be time to spring forward and set your clocks ahead one hour for the start of Daylight Saving Time. In addition to your clocks, you will need to reprogram your HVAC thermostat so that it’s in sync with your schedule.

Resetting the HVAC Thermostat for DST

For most of us, resetting our inner time clocks can be a bit tricky, as we lose one of sleep in the spring when DST arrives. It can help you make your transition more comfortably if you also reset your programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat to reflect when you’re getting up and going to bed, leaving the house or getting home in the evening.

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that homeowners with a programmable or smart thermostat set them 10 degrees lower or higher, depending on the season, when your household goes to sleep or leaves for the day, and when you don’t need as much energy. You can then program the thermostat to resume your household’s normal temperature an hour or so before you’re due to get up or arrive home for the day, so that your home will be comfortable. According to the Energy Department, setting your thermostat back 10 degrees or so for at least eight hours a day can save you as much as 10 percent on your energy bills annually.

If you’ve made this type of schedule part of your home’s efficiency regime, don’t forget to reset the thermostat when the time changes, so that the temperature in your home will coincide with your new schedule.

Maintaining Your Thermostat

While you’re making these changes, have a look at your programmable device’s wiring. Is it all connected properly? Are wires showing signs of fraying? If you detect a problem, mention it to your HVAC tech during your spring preventative maintenance visit. Also, ask your HVAC tech to make sure your temperature controls are working properly.

For more on your HVAC and Daylight Saving Time, contact NisAir Air Conditioning and Heating. We serve Martin, Palm Beach and Indian River counties.