Harsh weather can cause your energy bills to skyrocket, especially when your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. However, there's something you can do about it. Homeowners in East Bernard, Texas, can easily reduce energy expenses and reduce wear on their HVAC system by following smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a fall or spring HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these small things can help you keep comfortable and save money.

Here, the professionals at E.B. Air will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without compromising comfort.

1. Get for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for residents, one that often has the greatest impact is routine HVAC maintenance. Scheduling pro furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring is a great way to make sure these systems are in top shape 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 Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats offer many ways to reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically raise the setting when you're not home. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when the home is empty and shift the temperature back up when you get home. Even a few degrees 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 track your daily patterns and automatically manage your home's temperature accordingly. This means smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—and you don't have to manually change the temperature.

3. Prevent Energy Waste By Stopping 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 evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, adding insulation and eliminating air gaps all help prevent energy waste 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 scheduling a technician for seasonal HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by handling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Clear debris like sticks, leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Clean the coils of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Follow a seasonal HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Check your system's filter monthly, replacing if dirty or every 90 days
  • Ensure air vents and registers are uncovered
  • Make sure your thermostat is set correctly, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

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

Increase energy efficiency by replacing outdated HVAC equipment with advanced high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which operates more efficiently than un-rated units. When looking 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. This also is true with AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which shows energy efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the system. These numbers are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with E.B. Air to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency E.B. Air is the HVAC company East Bernard, Texas, locals turn to for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to HVAC system upgrades, we provide comprehensive service all year. Call 979-335-4262 today for East Bernard, Texas, HVAC service you can depend on.