Harsh weather can make your energy bills to skyrocket, especially when your HVAC system is running constantly. But there's good news. Homeowners in Santa Clarita, California, can easily save money and reduce stress on their HVAC system by following smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these minor adjustments can help you stay comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the professionals at Verona HVAC will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs 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 seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling expert furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures 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 signs of inefficiency, worn-out parts or brewing issues—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 raise the setting when you're not home. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when the home is empty and warm back up when you get back. Even a few degrees can make a noticeable difference.

Push your savings up a notch with a smart thermostat. One of the many smart thermostat benefits is their ability to track your daily patterns and automatically manage your home's temperature accordingly. This means smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—without you having to do a thing.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in old ductwork allow 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, improving insulation and eliminating air gaps all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to maintain a stable indoor temperature.

4. Do Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Clear debris like sticks, dried leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wash the condenser coils of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Follow a consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Look at 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
  • Make sure your thermostat is set correctly, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

5. Replace Old, Failing Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Increase energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to modern high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting 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 basic SEER rating explanation: the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. This also is true with AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which shows energy 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 boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Verona HVAC to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Verona HVAC is the HVAC company Santa Clarita, 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 661-449-9765 today for Santa Clarita, California, HVAC service you can count on.