temperature Archives - Chad's AC Direct

Make Sure the Temperature is Just Right for Valentine's Day Plans

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Optimize the Home's Efficiency for Greater Comfort

Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to show loved ones that they are cared about. That love may take the form of flowers or a night out on the town, but some other things need some TLC, too.

Beating the crowds on Valentine's Day by staying in for the evening is a fine choice, but the temperature has to be perfect to set the mood. If the house has yet to get the attention it needs, it won't make a romantic venue. This year, make sure the home is ready for a relaxing night by taking advice from local heating experts. Following these tips not only ensures that Valentine's Day will be cozy, but it can also save money and headaches. Here are local experts' tips to stay warm for the holiday.

Stop Drafts From Ruining Efficiency

To stay warm, a home has to keep cold air outside. Unfortunately, over time a home will develop drafts that allow the free exchange of air across the home's walls. Drafts rob a home of efficiency, raising utility bills and causing the heater to work harder. All that harder work puts extra stress on the heater, which can cause major problems down the road, requiring numerous repairs, not to mention compromising comfort.

Luckily, repairing drafts is pretty easy. Look for drafts around windows and doors. As a house settles, window and door frames can start to sag, allowing air to flow in. Using cheap and easy-to-install weatherstripping is the best choice for DIY draft repair. In some cases, caulking around windows indoors and outdoors can stop any draft that weatherstripping may miss.

Upgrade to Energy Star Windows

Once windows are sealed with weatherstripping and caulk, their true efficiency will be revealed. Windows are one of the largest sources of lost heat in the entire home, and even when low-quality windows are sealed, they still feel drafty from cold air transferring inside.

To stop the energy drain and pockets of cold air near windows, upgrade the windows to Energy Star windows. Installing new windows stops the constant waste of heat leaking out through the insulated glass. Although windows cost more upfront, they will continue to provide reliable service for decades, saving money through efficiency. Once rebates and energy savings are factored in, new windows are an obvious choice for big savings and better comfort.

Hire Reputable HVAC Technicians

Heating equipment is expensive to install and also costs a lot to operate. When it comes to Valentine's gifts, massages and spa days are popular. Why not schedule a spa day for the heater with a visit from an HVAC technician? Hiring reputable heating contractors allows these experts to maintain equipment leading to benefits like:

Increased longevity
Better reliability
Lower bills
More comfort

Find the right package for the heater today and make sure the heater is ready to set the right mood this Valentine's Day.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct provides affordable AC and heating repair services in Montgomery, AL. Every job begins with a handwritten estimate catered to each customer's needs. Call today for HVAC service.

Stay in and Keep Warm with the Right Temperature This Valentine's Day!

A hand adjusting a circular thermostat in a modern living room, highlighting HVAC control and comfort by Chad's AC Direct.

Make Sure the Heat Is Working Before Staying Home!

There's nothing romantic about being shivering cold with chattering teeth! Make sure that the heat is set to the right temperature this holiday before enjoying a romantic night in. Optimizing the heating system can help homeowners ensure that they have a warm, cozy environment to spend their holiday in. Here are three easy ways to improve heating efficiency and keep the home warm.

Make Sure There Are No Drafts

One of the reasons why a home may seem chilly even though the heat is on is because there are drafts around the windows or doors. Some windows and doors are made of thin material that does not insulate from the cold outside. To warm up an outside door, adding curtains for extra insulation can help. Windows may need to be plastic wrapped to keep the cold out.

For the cracks around doors and windows, homeowners can use weatherstripping techniques. Weatherstrips close the gaps where the window or door frame meets the wall to shut out any drafts or moisture from outdoors. There are also draft stoppers that one can pick up at a local hardware store. Drafts can make the temperature in the home seem super cold, but luckily it's usually an easy fix.

Switch to ENERGY STAR Certified Windows

Not all windows are the same. There are varying materials and thicknesses of glass that can impact how well the window insulates the home. Some windows can transfer the heat or cold from outside into the house. Switching to ENERGY STAR-certified windows can make a huge difference in how well the home maintains the desired temperature.

ENERGY STAR certified products have been tested and proven to be more energy efficient than other similar products on the market. By looking at the ENERGY STAR certification, homeowners can see exactly how much energy savings they could have if they switched. Homeowners searching for energy-efficient heating solutions should consider updating their windows.

Hire a Reputable Contractor to Work On Equipment

Whenever hiring an HVAC contractor, homeowners should do their due diligence research to ensure that the technician is licensed, insured, and trained in the type of work being performed.

Improper installation of heating and cooling units can be dangerous and lead to higher utility costs as the improperly installed unit struggles to keep up. Improper installation can also void the manufacturer's warranty on the unit.

The technician's insurance protects both the tech and the homeowners. In case of an accident, the insurance will cover the damages. Experience can be very important when it comes to hiring a contractor. The more experience they have and the more training they have, the better they know how to service the heating and cooling system.

About Chad's AC Direct

Chad's AC Direct is a reputable local heating company in the Montgomery, AL area. Chad's AC Direct provides homeowners with top-of-the-line heating and AC services from experienced professionals. Give them a call today to schedule an appointment for a heating service.

What is the Best Thermostat Temperature Setting for Each Season?

Thermostat showing 67°F with a hundred-dollar bill behind, relating to Chad's AC Direct's HVAC services.

Ideal Thermostat Setting for Each Season

Most people organize their closets by season. Spring and summer mean it’s time to break out the short-shorts and bro-tanks, but when fall and winter hit, it’s back to sweater weather and turning up the heating system. Just like people change their wardrobe with the change of seasons, the thermostat settings should be changed too. Knowing the right temperature to use when the seasons change can help save money and keep the house more comfortable.

Thermostat Setting for Cold Months

This is where the US is heading now. Fall is here already, and the winter season will be here soon. As the weather starts to cool off, it’s actually best to keep the thermostat set a little cooler.

Person bundled in winter clothing, shivering in cold weather, surrounded by snow and temperature indicators ranging from 18°F to 33°F, illustrating the importance of adjusting thermostat settings during cold months.

On average, the best indoor temperature during the cold months is 70°F. This temperature is plenty warm to keep pipes from freezing in the winter and cool enough to be comfortable wearing a sweater or other warm clothing indoors.

Thermostat Setting for Warm Months

Woman enjoying a desk fan in a bright office, illustrating comfort during warm months, relevant to HVAC tips for maintaining indoor temperatures.

During the warmer months of spring and summer, indoor temperatures should be kept a little higher at 78°F. It might seem odd at first that the temperature should be higher for warmer months, but think about the clothes people wear during the different seasons.

Typically people wear long pants and sweaters or long sleeve shirts in the winter, so it makes sense that the temperature indoors would be cooler. While during the summer, it needs to be warm enough indoors to feel comfortable walking around with only a t-shirt and shorts.

Remember, these temperature suggestions for cold and warm months are an average temperature for households. Also keep in mind that people’s body temperatures fluctuate throughout the day, so the temperature may need to be adjusted slightly throughout the day. Don’t be afraid to test out different temperature variations and see what feels most comfortable!

Thermostat Setting for Empty House

These thermostat settings are the average settings mostly for homes that are left empty during the workday. So the most comfortable temperature might vary when people are home or asleep.

These temperature suggestions also help make a smooth transition to other temperatures when the house is filled with occupants (for example, during the holidays when the house is filled with 20 or more people) because they don’t require the house to work harder to change temperatures. They are within a regular room temperature scale, so any changes from these temperatures don’t feel very drastic.

Empty modern living space with large windows, hardwood floors, and minimalistic design, relevant for discussing thermostat settings in unoccupied homes.

If it is more comfortable to have your house cold, that’s perfectly fine too. Just remember, not to let the temperature go below 55°F when the house is empty for an extended period of time in the winter. The pipes might freeze!

About Chad’s AC Direct

At Chad’s AC Direct, their customers always receive red carpet service. They are a local Montgomery, AL heating and air conditioning company that keeps all customers’ best interests in mind. This means total transparency from start to finish. Whether they need to install a new air conditioning system, repair their furnace, or tune-up the unit, Chad's AC Direct comfort specialists will carry out the right solution at the best value.