Should You Turn Off Your Furnace In The Spring?

April 1, 2021

Spring has sprung in the northwest. Trees and flowers are blooming, animals are leaving hibernation, and the temperatures are climbing out of the freezing zone. 

As you embark on your spring cleaning activities, you’ve probably stood in front of your heater wondering if it’s finally time to turn off the furnace. After all, you might save money and energy on your bill, right? 

Keep reading below as we explain when you should turn off your furnace and other spring HVAC tips!

Should You Turn Off Your Furnace In The Spring?

The short answer is probably not. Unlike AC units which may benefit from winterization when not being used, our North Idaho springtime weather can be unpredictable at best and you’ll likely find yourself needing the furnace. It’s more energy efficient to set a comfortable temperature on your thermostat during the spring.

Use Your Thermostat Instead

It may seem convenient to just turn off your furnace at the beginning of every spring. After all, the flowers are blooming and it’s warming up again. But as we mentioned before, weather can change drastically from day-to-day in our area. One day we may have rain and temperatures in the ’40s and the next day have temperatures in the 60’s. We may have shorts-weather one day followed by overcast skies and chilly temperatures for an entire week. This is why we do not recommend turning off your furnace completely in the spring.

On the contrary, it’s best to set your thermostat to 75° F in the warmer spring months. Especially if you have a smart or a programmable thermostat, this will allow you to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. The weather can fluctuate dramatically, but your home will still be a single temperature. This will be more energy-efficient and can save money on your utility bills.

With a programmable or smart thermostat, you can also set your home’s temperature to drop during the day or during times of low use.

Turning It Off Too Soon Can Damage Your Furnace

Turning off your furnace during the humid and rainy spring days can cause moisture to build up in your furnace’s mechanical components. If this happens and your furnace doesn’t turn on for months, that moisture can corrode and decay the furnace’s mechanical and electrical components. 

This can cause your furnace to fail when you turn it on again in the fall and winter and result in costly furnace repairs. 

Turn Off Your Furnace During The Summer

While spring is very unpredictable and the temperatures can fluctuate dramatically from day to day, summer is a little bit more consistent. The summer nights are warm enough that you usually don’t need the heat on. During the hot summer days, the air conditioning is often the only appliance you want to run. 

If you need help turning off your furnace during the hot, dry summer months, your local HVAC company can help you. They can also do a servicing appointment to let you know if any parts will need to be replaced or repaired before the next winter. During that service appointment, they can also make sure that your furnace is ready for months of inactivity.

Get Your Air Conditioner Serviced

Turning off your furnace can be important for keeping your utility bills low during the hot summer months. But it’s critical to get your air conditioner serviced every spring. 

Your air conditioner over the winter months collects dust. Fluid can leak or parts can wear out. Debris can clog the outdoor units, and cause your air conditioner to fail when you first turn it on for the season. Instead of immediately turning off the furnace and turning on the air conditioner, make sure to get your air conditioner serviced by a qualified HVAC professional.

Contact J.A. Bertsch Heating & Cooling

J.A. Bertsch Heating & Cooling offers professional residential heating furnace repair services throughout Kootenai County. Our heating experts work around the clock to ensure our North Idaho neighbors are taken care of. We are fully licensed and insured in furnace repair, sales, installation, and maintenance for ALL brands of heating equipment. Our licensed furnace technicians cover all of North Idaho and our neighboring cities. Experience superior, award-winning service 24/7 by calling 1-800-Furnace.