Severe weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially when your HVAC system is running constantly. But there's good news. Homeowners in Buellton, California, can easily save money and reduce stress on their HVAC system by following effective energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these minor adjustments can help you stay comfortable and cut costs.

Here, the pros at Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning will provide their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without compromising comfort.

1. Schedule 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 top shape 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 problems—saving you from costly service calls and potentially maximizing the service life of your heating and cooling system. 

2. Use Specific Programmable Thermostat Settings for Winter and Summer

Programmable thermostats provide multiple ways to reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when the home is empty and shift the temperature back up when you get back. Even a 2–3°F temperature change can cut down significantly on energy use.

Push your savings up a notch with a smart thermostat. One of the many smart thermostat benefits is their ability to adapt to your schedule and automatically fine-tune your home temperature. By doing so, smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—and you don't have to manually change the temperature.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in your ductwork permit heated or cooled air to escape. Work with a trusted HVAC specialist to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, making sure you have adequate insulation and stopping airflow leaks all help reduce energy bills 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 scheduling a technician for professional HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by tackling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Clear debris like sticks, leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a regular 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 free of obstructions
  • Review your temperature schedule, 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 installing new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than non-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. The same 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 boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste Year-Round

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Allstar Heating & Air Conditioning is the HVAC company Buellton, California, 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 full-service service all year. Call 805-691-7554 today for Buellton, California, HVAC service you can trust.