Extreme weather can cause your energy bills to skyrocket, especially if your HVAC system is running constantly. However, there’s something you can do about it. Homeowners in , , can easily save money and reduce stress on their HVAC system by using smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these minor adjustments can help you stay comfortable and lower expenses.
Here, the experts at will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without sacrificing comfort.
1. Schedule for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance
Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for homeowners, one that often has the greatest impact is routine HVAC maintenance. Scheduling professional furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring helps make sure these systems are in optimal working order and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It’s also a smart time to detect and resolve any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from costly service calls and potentially extending the life of your heating and cooling equipment.
2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage
Programmable thermostats provide several ways to save energy. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you’re not home. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees when the home is empty and rise again when you get home. Even a small temperature shift can make a noticeable difference.
Increase your savings even more with a smart thermostat. One of the many smart thermostat benefits is their ability to learn your routines and automatically fine-tune your home temperature. This means smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—with minimal effort on your part.
3. Prevent Energy Waste By Stopping Air Leaks in Your Home
Air leaks around windows, doors and in damaged ductwork allow heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, making sure you have adequate insulation and stopping airflow leaks all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to maintain a stable indoor temperature.
4. Perform Seasonal DIY HVAC Maintenance
In addition to scheduling a technician for routine HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by performing these home HVAC maintenance tips:
- Clear debris like sticks, dried leaves and plants from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
- Clean the coils of the outdoor AC unit in spring
- Follow a consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Check your system’s filter monthly, swapping for a clean one if it’s dirty or every 90 days
- Keep air vents and registers are open and unblocked
- Make sure your thermostat is set correctly, ensuring it’s on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter
5. Replace Aging, Inefficient Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems
Improve energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to advanced high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which operates more efficiently than non-rated units. When selecting cooling equipment, check for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Unsure what SEER means? The easiest SEER rating explanation: the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. This also is true with AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which measures efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more more energy efficient the equipment. These efficiency measurements are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.
Work with to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste Year-Round
When it comes to making your home a more comfortable place is the HVAC company , , locals turn to for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to HVAC system upgrades, we provide comprehensive service all year. Call today for , , HVAC service you can count on.