Harsh weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially if your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. However, there's something you can do about it. Homeowners in Newport, North Carolina, can easily save money and reduce strain on their HVAC system by using effective energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a fall or spring HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these minor adjustments can help you stay comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the pros at Antonelli Comfort Solutions will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without sacrificing comfort.

1. Schedule for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for residents, one that often makes the biggest impact 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 top shape and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a good time to identify and address any inefficiencies, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially lengthening your heating and cooling equipment's lifespan. 

2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats offer several ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically raise the setting when you're not home. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees when the home is empty and shift the temperature back up when you get home. Even a small temperature shift 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—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 damaged ductwork permit heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, adding insulation and eliminating air gaps all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home comfortable.

4. Do Seasonal DIY HVAC Maintenance

In addition to bringing in an expert for seasonal HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by handling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Clear debris like sticks, dried leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Wash the condenser coils of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect your system's filter monthly, swapping for a clean one if it's 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, Inefficient Units 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 picking out 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 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 boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Antonelli Comfort Solutions to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

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 rely on for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to selecting and setting up new HVAC equipment, we provide comprehensive service all year. Call 252-424-6803 today for Newport, North Carolina, HVAC service you can count on.