Severe weather can make your energy bills to spike, especially when your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. However, there's something you can do about it. Homeowners in Warminster, Pennslyvania, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce stress on their HVAC system by following practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these minor adjustments can help you keep comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the pros at Retro HVAC Service & Installation will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without compromising comfort.

1. Schedule for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for residents, one that often has the greatest impact is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling professional furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring is a great way to make sure these systems are in peak condition and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a good time to identify and address any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially lengthening your heating and cooling equipment's lifespan. 

2. Change Programmable Thermostat Settings for the Seasons

Programmable thermostats provide many ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're not home. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees while the home is unoccupied and warm back up when you return. Even a few degrees can save a lot of energy.

Take your savings a step further with a smart thermostat. One of the many smart thermostat benefits is their ability to track your daily patterns and automatically fine-tune your home temperature. By doing so, smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—with minimal effort on your part.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in home ductwork permit heated or cooled air to escape. Work with a qualified professional to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, making sure you have adequate insulation and eliminating air gaps all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to maintain a stable indoor temperature.

4. Complete Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

In addition to hiring a professional for professional HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by tackling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Remove debris like sticks, leaves and plants from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a regular HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect your system's filter monthly, swapping for a clean one if it's dirty or every 90 days
  • Ensure air vents and registers are free of obstructions
  • Check your thermostat settings, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

5. Replace Old, Inefficient Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Boost energy efficiency by replacing outdated HVAC equipment with new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Keep an eye out for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which consumes less power than un-rated units. When selecting 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 concept is true with AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which measures efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the system. These efficiency measurements are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can really help reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Retro HVAC Service & Installation to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste Year-Round

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency Retro HVAC Service & Installation is the HVAC company Warminster, Pennslyvania, locals turn to for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to heating and cooling installation, we provide comprehensive service all year. Call 267-485-6219 today for Warminster, Pennslyvania, HVAC service you can trust.