Severe weather can make your energy bills to skyrocket, especially if your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. However, there's something you can do about it. Homeowners in Modesto, California, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce strain on their HVAC system by using practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these small things can help you keep comfortable and cut costs.

Here, the experts at Jet Electrical, Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing will provide their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without giving up comfort.

1. Get for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often has the greatest 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 optimal working order and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a good time to detect and resolve any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from costly service calls and potentially lengthening your heating and cooling equipment's lifespan. 

2. Change Programmable Thermostat Settings for the Seasons

Programmable thermostats provide many ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically raise the setting when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly when no one is home and warm back up when you return. Even a 2–3°F temperature change can save a lot of energy.

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—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 your ductwork allow heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a trusted HVAC specialist to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, improving insulation and blocking drafts all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home comfortable.

4. Complete Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

In addition to scheduling a technician for routine HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by tackling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Clear debris like sticks, grass clippings and plants from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Wash the condenser coils of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Follow a consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect your system's filter monthly, changing it if it’s clogged or every 90 days
  • Ensure 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, Failing Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Improve energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to advanced high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which consumes less power 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 rates efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the system. These calculations are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Jet Electrical, Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Jet Electrical, Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing is the HVAC company Modesto, California, locals turn to 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 209-618-4595 today for Modesto, California, HVAC service you can depend on.