What month to turn the heat on in Greenville, SC

By HVAC.com•August 1, 2023

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If you’re wondering what month to turn the heat on in Greenville, SC, the short answer is October. Overnight temperatures reach the low 50s towards the end of the month.

We recommend setting your thermostat to “auto,” “heat,” and 68℉ when the outdoor low temperature drops below 58℉.

The best thermostat setting for Greenville

The World Health Organization (WHO) says your indoor temperature should be 64-75℉. If you have babies, older adults, or people with health problems living in your home, you should keep the temperature above 68℉ at all times.

We recommend setting your thermostat to 68℉ during the day in the fall and winter in Greenville.

You can lower your thermostat to 64℉ when you sleep or when you’re away. This will help you save energy (and money on your utility bills!). If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it to adjust on a schedule.

A smart thermostat can detect your habits, including when you leave the house. It can change the temperature setting automatically to keep your home comfortable and conserve energy.

When to turn the heat off in Greenville

Generally, the inside of your home is 10-15 degrees warmer than the outside temperature in the fall and winter months.

Outdoor low temperatures in Greenville remain below 60℉ through April. Though you likely won’t need the heat during the day in the spring, you may want it on occasion at night.

We recommend turning the heat off in Greenville in mid to late April, or whenever matches your comfort level.

Switching between heating and cooling

In the fall and spring in Greenville, the temperature may swing dramatically. You may alternate between boots and flip-flops in the same week!

Greenville also experiences high humidity, occasionally spilling into the fall and winter months.

You may feel the need to switch between heat and air conditioning to keep your family comfortable. This is safe for your HVAC system as long as you do it slowly.

How to switch between heating and cooling safely

Allow your AC or furnace to complete its cycle if it’s actively blowing air.
Turn your thermostat off.
Wait five minutes.
Turn your thermostat back on.
Switch from “heat” to “cool” or vice versa as needed.

We suggest you refrain from using your air conditioner when the outdoor temperature is below 60℉. It may damage some of the components.

How to prep your home for winter in Greenville

Greenville gets an average of 3 inches of snow per year, so winter prepping isn’t especially intense. Consider the following guidelines to keep your home warm this winter.

✅	Schedule routine furnace maintenance to keep your HVAC system running at its most efficient.
✅	Reverse your ceiling fans to push warm air down.
✅	Change your furnace filters.
✅	Seal windows and doors with caulk or weatherstripping.
✅	Regularly clear your furnace flue of debris, leaves, and snow.
✅	Keep your vents and ducts clean and free of blockages.

Remember to turn your heat on before you’re uncomfortably cold. If you wait too long, your furnace may have difficulty keeping up and reaching your preferred indoor temperature.