Extreme weather can cause your energy bills to skyrocket, especially if your HVAC system is working overtime. But there's good news. Homeowners in Morgantown, West Virginia, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce stress on their HVAC system by using practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these minor adjustments can help you keep comfortable and save money.

Here, the professionals at Mountain Air will provide 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 property owners, one that often has the greatest impact is regular HVAC maintenance. Scheduling professional furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in top shape and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a perfect opportunity to detect and resolve any signs of inefficiency, 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 save energy. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically increase the temperature when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when no one is home and shift the temperature back up when you get back. Even a few degrees can make a noticeable difference.

Increase your savings even more 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. This means smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—with minimal effort on your part.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in your ductwork enable heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, improving insulation and stopping airflow leaks all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to maintain a stable indoor temperature.

4. Perform Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Sweep away debris like sticks, leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a regular HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Look at your system's filter monthly, swapping for a clean one if it's dirty or every 90 days
  • Ensure air vents and registers are uncovered
  • Review your temperature schedule, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

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

Improve energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Keep an eye out 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. Not sure what SEER means? The simplest SEER rating explanation: the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. The same 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 efficiency measurements are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with Mountain Air to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to making your home a more comfortable place Mountain Air is the HVAC company Morgantown, West Virginia, locals rely on for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to HVAC system upgrades, we provide reliable service all year. Call 304-244-3530 today for Morgantown, West Virginia, HVAC service you can count on.