Severe weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially when your HVAC system is running constantly. The good news? Homeowners in West Columbia, South Carolina, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce stress 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 keep comfortable and save money.

Here, the pros at Tri City Fuel & Heating will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without compromising comfort.

1. Get for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often offers the most benefit is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling expert furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in peak condition and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a smart time to spot and fix any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from costly service calls and potentially lengthening your heating and cooling equipment's lifespan. 

2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats provide multiple ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when no one is home and warm back up when you return. Even a small temperature shift 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 learn your routines and automatically adjust your heating and cooling settings. Because of this smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—without you having to do a thing.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in your ductwork allow heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a qualified professional to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, improving insulation and blocking drafts all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to maintain a stable indoor temperature.

4. Complete Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

In addition to hiring a professional for seasonal HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by handling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Remove debris like sticks, dried leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Clean the coils of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect your system's filter monthly, replacing if dirty or every 90 days
  • Make sure air vents and registers are uncovered
  • Review your temperature schedule, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

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

Increase energy efficiency by replacing outdated HVAC equipment with new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which consumes less power than non-rated units. When selecting cooling equipment, check for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Not sure 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 shows energy efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more more energy efficient the equipment. These calculations are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with Tri City Fuel & Heating to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to making your home a more comfortable place Tri City Fuel & Heating is the HVAC company West Columbia, South Carolina, locals turn to for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to heating and cooling installation, we provide full-service service all year. Call 803-592-9776 today for West Columbia, South Carolina, HVAC service you can depend on.