Severe weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially if your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. The good news? Homeowners in Houston, Texas, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce wear on their HVAC system by following practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these small things can help you stay comfortable and save money.

Here, the pros at Air Current AC & Heat 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 property owners, one that often has the greatest impact is regular HVAC maintenance. Scheduling pro furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring helps make sure these systems are in optimal working order and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a good time to spot and fix any signs of inefficiency, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from costly service calls and potentially lengthening your heating and cooling equipment's lifespan. 

2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats provide many ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly when the home is empty and rise again when you get back. Even a few degrees can cut down significantly on energy use.

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. By doing so, 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 old ductwork allow heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, adding insulation and stopping airflow leaks 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 bringing in an expert for routine 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 air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a regular HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect your system's filter monthly, replacing if dirty or every 90 days
  • Keep air vents and registers are open and unblocked
  • Make sure your thermostat is set correctly, 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 installing new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than non-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. This also is true with AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which shows energy efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the system. These efficiency measurements are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with Air Current AC & Heat to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Air Current AC & Heat is the HVAC company Houston, Texas, locals turn to 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 713-257-9226 today for Houston, Texas, HVAC service you can trust.