Extreme weather can make your energy bills to spike, especially when your HVAC system is working overtime. But there's good news. Homeowners in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, can easily save money and reduce stress on their HVAC system by using practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these simple changes can help you keep comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the professionals at Siloam Springs Heating & AC will offer 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 residents, one that often makes the biggest impact is routine 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 heating and cooling seasons. It's also a perfect opportunity to identify and address any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing issues—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 provide multiple ways to reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically raise the setting when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees while the home is unoccupied and shift the temperature back up when you return. Even a small temperature shift can cut down significantly on energy use.

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 fine-tune your home temperature. By doing so, 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 damaged ductwork permit heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, making sure you have adequate insulation and eliminating air gaps all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.

4. Complete Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Clear debris like sticks, leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Clean the coils of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Follow a seasonal 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 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 Aging, Inefficient Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Increase energy efficiency by installing new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Keep an eye out for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than un-rated units. When shopping 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 efficient the system. These numbers are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Siloam Springs Heating & AC to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to making your home a more comfortable place Siloam Springs Heating & AC is the HVAC company Siloam Springs, Arkansas, locals trust for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to heating and cooling installation, we provide comprehensive service all year. Call 479-448-2261 today for Siloam Springs, Arkansas, HVAC service you can depend on.