
Harsh weather can make your energy bills to get really expensive, especially if your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. But there's good news. Homeowners in Newport, North Carolina, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce wear on their HVAC system by using smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a fall or spring HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these small things can help you stay comfortable and save money.
Here, the pros at Antonelli Comfort Solutions will provide their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without sacrificing comfort.
1. Schedule for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance
Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for homeowners, one that often makes the biggest impact is regular HVAC maintenance. Scheduling pro furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in optimal working order and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a perfect opportunity to identify and address 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. Change Programmable Thermostat Settings for the Seasons
Programmable thermostats provide multiple ways to save energy. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically raise the setting when you're not home. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly when no one is home and rise again when you return. Even a small temperature shift 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 track your daily patterns and automatically adjust your heating and cooling settings. Because of this smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—with minimal effort on your part.
3. Prevent Energy Waste By Stopping 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 evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, making sure you have adequate insulation and stopping airflow leaks all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.
4. Perform Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance
In addition to hiring a professional for seasonal HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by handling these home HVAC maintenance tips:
- Remove debris like sticks, grass clippings and plants from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
- Wipe down the fins of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
- Follow a regular HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Look at your system's filter monthly, changing it if it’s clogged or every 90 days
- Ensure 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
Boost energy efficiency by replacing outdated HVAC equipment with advanced high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which consumes less power than un-rated units. When picking out 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 shows energy efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more more energy efficient the equipment. These calculations are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can really help reduce energy bills and enhance your comfort.
Work with Antonelli Comfort Solutions to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year
When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Antonelli Comfort Solutions is the HVAC company Newport, North Carolina, locals trust 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 252-424-6803 today for Newport, North Carolina, HVAC service you can depend on.
