Extreme weather can cause your energy bills to skyrocket, especially if your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. The good news? Homeowners in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, can easily save money and reduce strain on their HVAC system by using practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these simple changes can help you keep comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the pros at Olde Towne Heating & Air will provide their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without compromising comfort.

1. Schedule for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for homeowners, one that often has the greatest impact is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling expert furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring helps make sure these systems are in peak condition and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a good time to detect and resolve any inefficiencies, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from costly service calls and potentially extending the life of your heating and cooling equipment. 

2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats provide multiple ways to save energy. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically increase the temperature when you're not home. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit while the home is unoccupied and rise again when you get home. Even a few degrees can make a noticeable difference.

Push your savings up a notch 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 Eliminating Air Leaks in Your Home

Air leaks around windows, doors and in old ductwork allow heated or cooled air to escape. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, adding insulation and stopping airflow leaks all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to maintain a stable indoor temperature.

4. Complete Seasonal DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Clear debris like sticks, grass clippings and plants from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wash the condenser coils 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
  • Make sure air vents and registers are free of obstructions
  • Review your temperature schedule, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

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

Improve energy efficiency by replacing outdated HVAC equipment with advanced high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which operates more efficiently than non-rated units. When selecting cooling equipment, check for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Not sure what SEER means? The easiest 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 do a lot to reduce energy bills and enhance your comfort.

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

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 HVAC system upgrades, we provide full-service service all year. Call 843-806-2049 today for Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, HVAC service you can trust.