Severe weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially if your HVAC system is working overtime. The good news? Homeowners in Sandpoint, Idaho, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce wear on their HVAC system by using practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these simple changes can help you stay comfortable and save money.

Here, the experts at Age Heating & Cooling will provide their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without compromising comfort.

1. Get for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often offers the most benefit is regular 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 optimal working order and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a good time to identify and address any inefficiencies, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially maximizing the service life of your heating and cooling system. 

2. Change Programmable Thermostat Settings for the Seasons

Programmable thermostats provide multiple ways to save energy. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically raise the setting when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly when the home is empty and warm back up when you get home. 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 fine-tune your home temperature. 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 damaged ductwork permit heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, making sure you have adequate insulation and stopping airflow leaks all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home comfortable.

4. Perform Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Sweep away 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, swapping for a clean one if it's dirty or every 90 days
  • Keep air vents and registers are uncovered
  • Check your thermostat settings, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

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

Increase energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to modern high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look 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 easiest SEER rating explanation: the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. The same is true with AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which shows energy efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more more energy efficient the equipment. These calculations are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with Age Heating & Cooling to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency Age Heating & Cooling is the HVAC company Sandpoint, Idaho, locals rely on 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 208-603-2210 today for Sandpoint, Idaho, HVAC service you can trust.