March 10th marks the beginning of Daylight Saving Time for this year. Many people dread DST because it means having to get up an hour earlier than usual, but the extra hour of daylight does have its benefits. particluarly when it comes to your heating and cooling system. McMaster shares how you can get the most out of DST with the help of a small but important HVAC system component: the thermostat.
Why You Should Prepare for Daylight Saving Time
For many people, the biggest reason to prepare for Daylight Saving Time is that the one-hour jump disrupts their body clocks. For some, it takes days to establish a new sleeping pattern. Others find it inconvenient having to adjust their analog clocks. Fortunately, most modern timekeeping devices adjust themselves automatically when DST kicks in.
But looking beyond these problems, Daylight Saving Time does have on big benefit: the additional hour of daylight means at least one extra hour of not having to use indoor lighting and heating. While this may seem like a negligible amount, keep in mind that it adds up to 30 hours or so per month, which equals 30 hours worth of energy savings.
Smart Thermostats
This is where smart thermostats are ideal. While manually-controlled thermostats are capable of adjusting to the change in heating requirements, it will have to be done manually. A smart thermostat, on the other hand, allows precise control over temperature levels, which can be customized by room.
More importantly, smart thermostats allow automation. In addition to automatically adjusting to Daylight Saving Time once it begins, it can also adjust to match heating output to the new daylight hours. Certain types of home automation systems are equipped with light sensors, which turn the heating and lighting on when it gets dark. Smart thermostats can also be programmed to adjust the heating in certain areas at certain times of day, such as lowering the temperature in unoccupied rooms during dinnertime. A certified HVAC technician can determine if your existing HVAC is compatible with smart thermostats and automated systems.
Call McMaster Today
Looking into upgrading your thermostat? Call McMaster Air & Heat today at (949) 481-7995. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a free estimate. Ask us about our financing options for HVAC system installations.
