Severe weather can make your energy bills to get really expensive, especially if your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. The good news? Homeowners in Justin, Texas, can easily reduce energy expenses and reduce wear on their HVAC system by following effective energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a fall or spring HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these small things can help you keep comfortable and save money.

Here, the pros at Pepper AC & Heat will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you reduce energy bills without giving up comfort.

1. Contact a Professional for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often offers the most benefit is routine HVAC maintenance. Scheduling pro furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in peak condition and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a good time to identify and address any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially lengthening your heating and cooling equipment's lifespan. 

2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats provide several ways to reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're not home. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when the home is empty and rise again when you get back. Even a 2–3°F temperature change can cut down significantly on energy use.

Increase your savings even more 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—without you having to do a thing.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in old ductwork allow heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a qualified professional to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, improving insulation and stopping airflow leaks all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.

4. Do Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Clear debris like sticks, grass clippings and shrubs from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Wash the condenser coils of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Follow a seasonal HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Look at your system's filter monthly, changing it if it’s clogged or every 90 days
  • Ensure air vents and registers are open and unblocked
  • 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

Boost energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which operates more efficiently than un-rated units. When selecting cooling equipment, check for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Unsure what SEER means? The simplest SEER rating explanation: the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. The same concept 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 calculations are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy bills and enhance your comfort.

Work with Pepper AC & Heat to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Pepper AC & Heat is the HVAC company Justin, Texas, locals trust for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to HVAC system upgrades, we provide comprehensive service all year. Call 940-305-6803 today for Justin, Texas, HVAC service you can depend on.