Extreme weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially if your HVAC system is running constantly. However, there's something you can do about it. Homeowners in Huntingburg, Indiana, can easily save money and reduce wear on their HVAC system by using smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these minor adjustments can help you keep comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the professionals at Dearing's Service & Solutions will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you reduce energy bills without sacrificing comfort.

1. Contact a Professional for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often makes the biggest impact is routine HVAC maintenance. Scheduling expert furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in peak condition and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a good time to detect and resolve any signs of inefficiency, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially lengthening your heating and cooling equipment's lifespan. 

2. Use Specific Programmable Thermostat Settings for Winter and Summer

Programmable thermostats provide multiple ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically increase the temperature when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees when the home is empty and rise again when you return. Even a 2–3°F temperature change can save a lot of energy.

Increase your savings even more with a smart thermostat. One of the many smart thermostat benefits is their ability to track your daily patterns and automatically manage your home's temperature accordingly. This means smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—without you having to do a thing.

3. Prevent Energy Waste By Stopping Air Leaks in Your Home

Air leaks around windows, doors and in damaged ductwork enable heated or cooled air to escape. Work with a qualified professional to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, improving insulation and blocking drafts all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.

4. Do Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

In addition to bringing in an expert for routine HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by performing these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Clear debris like sticks, dried leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Follow a seasonal HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Look at your system's filter monthly, replacing if dirty or every 90 days
  • Keep air vents and registers are uncovered
  • Review your temperature schedule, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

5. Replace Aging, Failing Equipment with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Increase energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which consumes less power than non-rated units. When shopping for cooling equipment, check for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Not sure what SEER means? The simplest SEER rating explanation: the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. The same 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 numbers are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Dearing's Service & Solutions to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to making your home a more comfortable place Dearing's Service & Solutions is the HVAC company Huntingburg, Indiana, locals turn to for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to selecting and setting up new HVAC equipment, we provide full-service service all year. Call 812-956-0349 today for Huntingburg, Indiana, HVAC service you can count on.