Extreme weather can make your energy bills to get really expensive, especially if your HVAC system is running constantly. The good news? Homeowners in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, can easily save money and reduce stress 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 minor adjustments can help you stay comfortable and cut costs.

Here, the professionals at Olde Towne Heating & Air will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without compromising comfort.

1. Get for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for residents, one that often has the greatest impact is regular HVAC maintenance. Scheduling expert 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 smart time to identify and address any inefficiencies, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially extending the life of your heating and cooling equipment. 

2. Use Specific Programmable Thermostat Settings for Winter and Summer

Programmable thermostats offer several ways to save energy. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly when no one is home and warm back up when you get home. Even a few degrees can make a noticeable difference.

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 adjust your heating and cooling settings. Because of this 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 home ductwork enable 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 prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to maintain a stable indoor temperature.

4. Perform Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Sweep away debris like sticks, grass clippings and plants from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wash the condenser coils of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a regular HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Check your system's filter monthly, swapping for a clean one if it's dirty 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 Equipment with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Increase energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to modern high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which operates more efficiently than un-rated units. When looking for 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 ratings are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can really help reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Olde Towne Heating & Air to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste Year-Round

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency Olde Towne Heating & Air is the HVAC company Mount Pleasant, South 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 full-service service all year. Call 843-806-2049 today for Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, HVAC service you can depend on.