Harsh weather can make your energy bills to spike, especially when your HVAC system is working overtime. But there's good news. Homeowners in Lawrence, Kansas, can easily reduce energy expenses and reduce strain on their HVAC system by using effective energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these small things can help you keep comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the experts at Scott Temperature will provide their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you reduce energy bills without compromising comfort.

1. Contact a Professional for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often makes the biggest impact is routine 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 optimal working order and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a smart time to spot and fix any inefficiencies, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from unnecessary breakdowns and potentially lengthening your heating and cooling equipment's lifespan. 

2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats offer several ways to save energy. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're not home. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when no one is home and warm back up when you return. Even a few degrees can cut down significantly on energy use.

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. By doing so, smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—without you having to do a thing.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in old ductwork enable heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a trusted HVAC specialist to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, adding insulation and eliminating air gaps all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home comfortable.

4. Perform Seasonal DIY HVAC Maintenance

In addition to scheduling a technician for seasonal HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by tackling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Clear debris like sticks, dried leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Follow a seasonal 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
  • Check your thermostat settings, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

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

Increase energy efficiency by replacing outdated HVAC equipment with advanced high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look 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. 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 shows energy efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the system. These calculations are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can really help reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with Scott Temperature to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency Scott Temperature is the HVAC company Lawrence, Kansas, locals trust 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 785-503-3712 today for Lawrence, Kansas, HVAC service you can trust.