Extreme weather can cause your energy bills to skyrocket, especially if your HVAC system is working overtime. But there's good news. Homeowners in New Castle, Pennsylvania, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce wear on their HVAC system by using effective energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these minor adjustments can help you keep comfortable and save money.

Here, the pros at Central Heating & Plumbing will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without sacrificing comfort.

1. Schedule for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for residents, one that often offers the most benefit is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling expert furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in optimal working order and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a perfect opportunity to detect and resolve any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially maximizing the service life of your heating and cooling system. 

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 adjust upward when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when no one is home and warm back up when you return. Even a few degrees 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 adapt to your schedule and automatically adjust your heating and cooling settings. By doing so, smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—with minimal effort on your part.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in home ductwork allow heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, making sure you have adequate 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. Perform Seasonal DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Clear debris like sticks, leaves and plants from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wash the condenser coils of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a seasonal HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Check your system's filter monthly, swapping for a clean one if it's dirty or every 90 days
  • Ensure air vents and registers are open and unblocked
  • 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

Boost energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to 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. Not sure what SEER means? The simplest SEER rating explanation: the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. The same concept 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 efficiency measurements are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can really help reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Central Heating & Plumbing to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency Central Heating & Plumbing is the HVAC company New Castle, Pennsylvania, locals turn to 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 724-530-3753 today for New Castle, Pennsylvania, HVAC service you can count on.