Harsh weather can make your energy bills to skyrocket, especially if your HVAC system is running constantly. However, there's something you can do about it. Homeowners in Central Point, Oregon, can easily reduce energy expenses and reduce stress on their HVAC system by following smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these small things can help you keep comfortable and lower expenses.

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

1. Contact a Professional for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for homeowners, one that often has the greatest 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 good time to detect and resolve any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from costly service calls and potentially maximizing the service life of your heating and cooling system. 

2. Use Specific Programmable Thermostat Settings for Winter and Summer

Programmable thermostats provide several ways to reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically raise the setting when you're not home. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly while the home is unoccupied and warm back up when you return. Even a small temperature shift can cut down significantly on energy use.

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 fine-tune your home temperature. 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 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 trusted HVAC specialist to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, making sure you have adequate insulation and blocking drafts all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.

4. Do 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:

  • Remove 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 consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect 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 Old, Inefficient Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Boost energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to advanced high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look 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. 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 rates 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 enhance your comfort.

Work with Titan Heating & Air Conditioning to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste Year-Round

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Titan Heating & Air Conditioning is the HVAC company Central Point, Oregon, 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 541-243-7524 today for Central Point, Oregon, HVAC service you can count on.