Severe weather can make your energy bills to spike, especially if your HVAC system is running constantly. However, there's something you can do about it. Homeowners in Eastland, Texas, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce stress on their HVAC system by following effective energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a fall or spring HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these small things can help you stay comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the experts at J & J Air Conditioning will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without sacrificing comfort.

1. Get for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for homeowners, 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 peak condition and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a perfect opportunity to spot and fix any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially extending the life of your heating and cooling equipment. 

2. Use Specific Programmable Thermostat Settings for Winter and Summer

Programmable thermostats provide several ways to reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees when the home is empty and shift the temperature back up when you return. Even a few degrees can save a lot of energy.

Take your savings a step further 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. Because of this smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—without you having to do a thing.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in your ductwork permit heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, improving insulation and blocking drafts all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home comfortable.

4. Do Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Remove debris like sticks, grass clippings and shrubs from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect your system's filter monthly, changing it if it’s clogged or every 90 days
  • Keep air vents and registers are open and unblocked
  • Check your thermostat settings, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

5. Replace Aging, Inefficient 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 consumes less power than un-rated units. When shopping 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. The same concept is true with AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which measures 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 do a lot to reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with J & J Air Conditioning to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to making your home a more comfortable place J & J Air Conditioning is the HVAC company Eastland, Texas, locals turn to for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to HVAC system upgrades, we provide full-service service all year. Call 254-505-3248 today for Eastland, Texas, HVAC service you can count on.