Harsh weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially when your HVAC system is working overtime. The good news? Homeowners in Norton, Virginia, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce strain on their HVAC system by following smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these simple changes can help you stay comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the pros at HCE Systems will provide their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you reduce energy bills without giving up comfort.

1. Get for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often makes the biggest impact is regular HVAC maintenance. Scheduling expert furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in optimal working order and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a perfect opportunity to spot and fix any inefficiencies, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from unnecessary breakdowns and potentially maximizing the service life of your heating and cooling system. 

2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats offer several ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically raise the setting when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees when the home is empty and warm back up when you get back. Even a few degrees 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 learn your routines and automatically adjust your heating and cooling settings. 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 old ductwork enable heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a qualified professional to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, making sure you have adequate insulation and blocking drafts all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home comfortable.

4. Do Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Remove debris like sticks, dried leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wash the condenser coils of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Check your system's filter monthly, replacing if dirty or every 90 days
  • Ensure 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, Failing Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Boost 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 un-rated units. When selecting 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. 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 calculations are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can really help reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with HCE Systems to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to making your home a more comfortable place HCE Systems is the HVAC company Norton, Virginia, 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 276-212-1358 today for Norton, Virginia, HVAC service you can trust.