Extreme weather can cause your energy bills to get really expensive, especially when your HVAC system is working overtime. But there's good news. Homeowners in Hendersonville, North Carolina, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce strain on their HVAC system by following effective energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these small things can help you keep comfortable and cut costs.

Here, the experts at Superior Comfort Systems will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without giving up comfort.

1. Get for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for homeowners, one that often makes the biggest impact is routine HVAC maintenance. Scheduling pro furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in optimal working order and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a perfect opportunity to spot and fix 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. Use Specific Programmable Thermostat Settings for Winter and Summer

Programmable thermostats offer several ways to reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when the home is empty and rise again when you return. Even a small temperature shift can cut down significantly on energy use.

Push your savings up a notch with a smart thermostat. One of the many smart thermostat benefits is their ability to adapt to your schedule and automatically adjust your heating and cooling settings. By doing so, smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—without you having to do a thing.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in home ductwork allow heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, adding insulation and eliminating air gaps all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.

4. Perform Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Remove debris like sticks, grass clippings and plants from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Clean the coils of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a seasonal HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect your system's filter monthly, swapping for a clean one if it's dirty or every 90 days
  • Keep air vents and registers are free of obstructions
  • Review your temperature schedule, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

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

Boost energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to advanced high-efficiency HVAC systems. Keep an eye out 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 rates efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the system. These numbers are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with Superior Comfort Systems to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency Superior Comfort Systems is the HVAC company Hendersonville, North Carolina, locals trust for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to heating and cooling installation, we provide reliable service all year. Call 828-492-3596 today for Hendersonville, North Carolina, HVAC service you can depend on.