Severe weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially if your HVAC system is running constantly. But there's good news. Homeowners in Circleville, Ohio, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce stress on their HVAC system by using effective energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these simple changes can help you keep comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the professionals at Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling will provide their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without giving up comfort.

1. Contact a Professional for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for residents, one that often makes the biggest impact is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling pro 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 heating and cooling seasons. It's also a good time to identify and address any inefficiencies, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially extending the life of your heating and cooling equipment. 

2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats provide multiple ways to reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically increase the temperature when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees when no one is home and shift the temperature back up when you return. Even a 2–3°F temperature change can cut down significantly on energy use.

Increase your savings even more with a smart thermostat. One of the many smart thermostat benefits is their ability to adapt to your schedule and automatically manage your home's temperature accordingly. This means smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—with minimal effort on your part.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in damaged ductwork allow heated or cooled air to escape. Work with a qualified professional to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, making sure you have adequate insulation and eliminating air gaps all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home comfortable.

4. Complete Seasonal DIY HVAC Maintenance

In addition to scheduling a technician for routine HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by handling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Sweep away debris like sticks, leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a regular HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Check your system's filter monthly, replacing if dirty or every 90 days
  • Make sure 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 Old, Inefficient Equipment with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Improve energy efficiency by installing modern high-efficiency HVAC systems. Keep an eye out for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than un-rated units. When looking for cooling equipment, check for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Unsure what SEER means? The basic SEER rating explanation: the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. This also is true with AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which rates 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 really help reduce energy bills and enhance your comfort.

Work with Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste Year-Round

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling is the HVAC company Circleville, Ohio, 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 740-474-5940 today for Circleville, Ohio, HVAC service you can count on.