Severe weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially if your HVAC system is working overtime. The good news? Homeowners in Phoenix, Arizona, can cut heating and cooling costs 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 minor adjustments can help you keep comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the experts at Integrity AC & Heating LLC will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without sacrificing comfort.

1. Contact a Professional for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for homeowners, one that often offers the most benefit is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling pro furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring helps make sure these systems are in top shape and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a good time to spot and fix 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 conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly when no one is home and warm back up when you get home. Even a few degrees 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 learn your routines and automatically adjust your heating and cooling settings. This means smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—with minimal effort on your part.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in old ductwork enable heated or cooled air to escape. Work with a trusted HVAC specialist to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, adding 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 routine HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by handling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Clear debris like sticks, dried leaves and plants from around your outdoor AC unit 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
  • Check your thermostat settings, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

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

Increase energy efficiency by replacing outdated HVAC equipment with modern high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than non-rated units. When picking out 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. This also 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 ratings are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with Integrity AC & Heating LLC to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency Integrity AC & Heating LLC is the HVAC company Phoenix, Arizona, locals turn to 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 602-971-0567 today for Phoenix, Arizona, HVAC service you can trust.