If you live in Henderson, NV, you’ve probably had fall days when the AC runs in the afternoon, but you wake up wishing you’d turned on the heat. That’s typical for the Las Vegas Valley. Most homeowners begin using their heating systems in late October or November, although the best time to switch depends on how cold your home gets overnight.
Why Henderson’s Fall Weather Makes the Switch Tricky
October doesn’t always feel like fall around here. Afternoon temperatures can still climb into the 80s, especially early in the month. By November, daytime highs generally settle into the upper 60s, and overnight lows can drop into the 40s.
Those temperature swings make it difficult to put your AC away for the season. A home with west-facing windows might stay warm well into the evening, while another house on the same street feels chilly before bedtime.
There’s nothing wrong with using both heating and cooling during the same week. Your thermostat should respond to what your home needs, not a date on the calendar.
Is 68 Degrees the Right Time to Turn On Your Heat?
For many households, it is. When the temperature inside your home regularly falls below 68 degrees, turning on the heat can make mornings more comfortable. That doesn’t mean everyone needs the same setting. You might prefer 70 degrees while someone else in your household is perfectly comfortable at 66.
If you have a thermostat with automatic changeover, you may not need to switch modes manually. Just make sure your heating and cooling setpoints are separated enough to prevent unnecessary switching.
Your Heater Has Probably Been Sitting Idle for Months
Think about how much your cooling system works during a Henderson summer. Meanwhile, your furnace may not have operated since the previous winter. Because of this, we recommend having your heating system inspected in the fall, ideally before the first stretch of cold nights.
A professional can check the components responsible for reliable heating and identify problems before you’re depending on the system every morning. Gas furnaces also need appropriate safety checks, particularly after an extended period without use.
At 702 PlumbAIR Services, our HVAC services help local homeowners keep their systems ready as the seasons change.
What Should You Notice When You First Turn On the Heat?
A little dusty smell during the first heating cycle isn’t unusual. It should fade quickly, though. A persistent burning odor, especially one that smells electrical, deserves professional attention. Watch how your home warms up, too. If the heater runs continuously without reaching your thermostat setting, shuts off repeatedly or leaves certain rooms unusually cold, something may need attention. You don’t want to discover a heating problem during one of those December mornings when Henderson temperatures approach freezing.
Don’t Wait for the First Cold Snap
You don’t have to stop using your AC altogether when fall arrives. Once chilly mornings become routine, start using your heat as needed and make sure the system responds properly.
If yours isn’t keeping up, contact 702 PlumbAIR Services for heating repair. We’ll help get your home comfortable before colder weather settles in.
Image provided by iStock
