Harsh weather can make your energy bills to spike, especially when your HVAC system is working overtime. The good news? Homeowners in Norco, Louisiana, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce stress on their HVAC system by using practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these small things can help you stay comfortable and cut costs.

Here, the experts at Mayeuxs AC & Heating will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without giving up comfort.

1. Contact a Professional for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for homeowners, one that often makes the biggest impact is routine HVAC maintenance. Scheduling pro 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 signs of inefficiency, 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 Specific Programmable Thermostat Settings for Winter and Summer

Programmable thermostats offer multiple ways to save energy. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically increase the temperature when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly while the home is unoccupied and rise again when you return. Even a few degrees can make a noticeable difference.

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 manage your home's temperature accordingly. Because of this 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 old ductwork permit heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, adding insulation and blocking drafts all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to maintain a stable indoor temperature.

4. Complete Seasonal DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Remove debris like sticks, grass clippings and shrubs from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Clean the coils of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a regular HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Look at 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 Old, Inefficient Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Increase energy efficiency by installing advanced high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than un-rated units. When looking 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. This also is true with AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which rates efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more more energy efficient the equipment. These ratings are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can really help reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Mayeuxs AC & Heating to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste Year-Round

When it comes to making your home a more comfortable place Mayeuxs AC & Heating is the HVAC company Norco, Louisiana, locals rely on for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to selecting and setting up new HVAC equipment, we provide comprehensive service all year. Call (985) 764-2426 today for Norco, Louisiana, HVAC service you can depend on.