Severe weather can make your energy bills to skyrocket, especially if your HVAC system is working overtime. However, there's something you can do about it. Homeowners in Iowa City, Iowa, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce wear on their HVAC system by following practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a fall or spring HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these simple changes can help you keep comfortable and save money.

Here, the pros at Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning will provide their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you reduce energy bills without sacrificing comfort.

1. Get for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for residents, one that often makes the biggest impact is seasonal 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 optimal working order and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a smart time to detect and resolve any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing problems—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 offer multiple ways to save energy. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward 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 return. Even a small temperature shift 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 fine-tune your home temperature. This means smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—and you don't have to manually change the temperature.

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 leak out. Work with a trusted HVAC specialist to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, making sure you have adequate 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. Complete Simple 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 air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a seasonal HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Look at your system's filter monthly, replacing if 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, Inefficient Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Boost energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to modern high-efficiency HVAC systems. Keep an eye out for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than un-rated units. When selecting cooling equipment, check for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Unsure 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 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 really help reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning is the HVAC company Iowa City, Iowa, 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 319-337-3520 today for Iowa City, Iowa, HVAC service you can trust.