Harsh weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially if your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. But there's good news. Homeowners in Mechanicsville, Virginia, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce wear on their HVAC system by following smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these simple changes can help you stay comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the pros at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you reduce energy bills without giving up comfort.

1. Contact a Professional for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often has the greatest impact is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling expert furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring is a great way to make sure these systems are in peak condition and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a good time to detect and resolve 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 many ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically raise the setting when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly when no one is home and shift the temperature back up when you get back. Even a few degrees can save a lot of energy.

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. 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 enable heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a trusted HVAC specialist to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, 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. Do 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, dried leaves and plants from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Wash the condenser coils of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a regular HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect your system's filter monthly, changing it if it’s clogged or every 90 days
  • Ensure air vents and registers are free of obstructions
  • Check your thermostat settings, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

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

Improve energy efficiency by replacing outdated HVAC equipment with new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look 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 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 ratings are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is the HVAC company Mechanicsville, Virginia, locals rely on 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 804-979-2758 today for Mechanicsville, Virginia, HVAC service you can depend on.