Mismanaging your thermostat in winter can turn a cozy home into an energy-guzzling nightmare. In Laval, where winters are harsh and long, thermostat mishandling is all too common. These seemingly minor habits often result in skyrocketing electricity bills, reduce the lifespan of HVAC equipment, and compromise indoor comfort. At AirGreen, we frequently intervene in homes and businesses in Laval where simple tweaks could have avoided service calls. In this article, we share the most common thermostat mistakes made in winter, and more importantly, our professional solutions to correct them easily and efficiently.
Why Proper Thermostat Use Matters in Laval
In a region like Laval, where winter temperatures can drop well below freezing for weeks at a time, the thermostat becomes central to your heating system’s performance. Improper use doesn’t just lead to higher energy costs—it can also disrupt the functioning of your heat pumps, forced-air systems, and electric heaters that we install for our clients.
At AirGreen, we’ve seen it all: thermostats placed in drafty zones, settings that don’t match residents’ daily routines. And every time, our specialized technicians have been able to provide clear, long-lasting solutions that are simple to implement.
Mistake #1: Cranking the Thermostat When You Get Home
This is one of the most common habits: coming home to a cold house and turning the thermostat up to 25°C, thinking it will heat faster. The reality? It won’t heat any quicker, but it will push your HVAC system to run at full capacity unnecessarily.
✅ AirGreen’s Solution
We recommend smart thermostat programming based on your schedule. For example, we install smart thermostats compatible with wall-mounted and central heat pumps such as the Fujitsu KZAH R-32, Goodman R-32, and Bosch BIVA IDS Premium R-454B, which automatically adjust the temperature based on household routines.
Mistake #2: Constantly Changing Settings Manually
Toggling the temperature multiple times a day or on a whim disrupts your heating system’s natural cycle, which decreases its energy efficiency.
✅ AirGreen’s Approach
During our installations in Laval, we always set up a stable and tailored temperature program. Our technicians show homeowners how to optimize the heating cycle based on the home’s thermal inertia. A consistent temperature around 21°C during the day and 18-19°C at night often delivers the best balance between comfort and energy savings.
Mistake #3: Placing the Thermostat Near a Heat or Cold Source
A poorly placed thermostat—near a window, heater, or in an uninsulated hallway—gives inaccurate readings and causes inappropriate heating cycles.
✅ AirGreen’s Best Practices
Our installers always evaluate the best possible location for your thermostat. In wintertime in Laval, we’ve often had to reposition thermostats that were initially installed in areas exposed to drafts or direct heat to ensure accurate temperature readings.
Mistake #4: Misusing Heat Pump Modes
Some users switch on “auxiliary” or “emergency” heat without fully understanding the impact—this can drastically increase energy consumption in winter.
✅ Our Recommendations
When we install a central or wall-mounted heat pump, such as units from Gree, Fujitsu, or Bosch, we always explain how the different heating modes work. The “emergency” mode should only be used if the main system fails. Our systems are designed for cold climate heating (as low as -30°C for some models like the Gree Extreme) and can run in heat pump mode much longer without needing electric backup.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Smart Features
Many Laval homes now have smart thermostats but don’t take advantage of their intelligent features, like geofencing, routine learning, or weather-based adjustments.
✅ Our Expert Tips
At AirGreen, we configure smart thermostats to adapt to your schedule, your absences, and outdoor conditions. With this setup, our clients typically save between 10% and 25% on winter electricity bills.
Real-World Example: A Case in Laval
A customer in Chomedey, Laval, had a Sharp ZU1 18,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pump installed by another contractor. He complained that the system wasn’t heating properly. When we performed our diagnostic, we discovered the thermostat was mounted right above an electric baseboard heater, skewing the temperature readings.
We repositioned the thermostat, reprogrammed the cycles based on the customer’s routine, and adjusted the airflow on the heat pump. The result: improved comfort, 22% energy savings, and total satisfaction. This is a great example of our technical expertise and personalized approach in every project we complete in Laval and the surrounding areas.
Extra Tips to Get the Most from Your Thermostat in Winter
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Regularly check your thermostat’s calibration
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Use thermal curtains to better insulate rooms
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Set different temperatures by room (cooler bedrooms, warmer living areas)
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Consider multi-zone setups for larger homes
Why Trust AirGreen
For years, we’ve served homes and businesses across Laval, Montréal, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore, installing, maintaining, and optimizing heating and cooling systems. Our team is well-versed in every aspect of HVAC, and each intervention is tailored to our clients’ specific needs, considering architectural features, budgets, and, most importantly, winter comfort goals.