Extreme weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially when your HVAC system is running constantly. The good news? Homeowners in McPherson, Kansas, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce stress on their HVAC system by using 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 cut costs.

Here, the pros at McPherson Quality Air & Plumbing will offer 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 residents, 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 is a great way to make sure these systems are in optimal working order and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a perfect opportunity to spot and fix any signs of inefficiency, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from unnecessary breakdowns and potentially maximizing the service life of your heating and cooling system. 

2. Change Programmable Thermostat Settings for the Seasons

Programmable thermostats offer several ways to save energy. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees when the home is empty and rise again when you return. Even a 2–3°F temperature change can make a noticeable difference.

Take your savings a step further 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. This means smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—and you don't have to manually change the temperature.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in old ductwork enable heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, adding insulation and blocking drafts all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.

4. Complete Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

In addition to bringing in an expert for professional HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by tackling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Remove debris like sticks, dried leaves and plants from around your outdoor AC unit 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, swapping for a clean one if it's dirty or every 90 days
  • Make sure 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 Aging, Failing Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Boost energy efficiency by installing new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which consumes less power than un-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 rates efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the system. These numbers are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can really help reduce energy bills and enhance your comfort.

Work with McPherson Quality Air & Plumbing to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling McPherson Quality Air & Plumbing is the HVAC company McPherson, Kansas, locals trust for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to HVAC system upgrades, we provide reliable service all year. Call 620-206-2886 today for McPherson, Kansas, HVAC service you can depend on.