Severe weather can make your energy bills to spike, especially if your HVAC system is working overtime. But there's good news. Homeowners in Athol, Idaho, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce strain on their HVAC system by following practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these minor adjustments can help you keep comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the pros at Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without giving up comfort.

1. Schedule for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for homeowners, one that often offers the most benefit is regular HVAC maintenance. Scheduling expert 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 winter and summer seasons. It's also a perfect opportunity to spot and fix any signs of inefficiency, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from costly service calls and potentially maximizing the service life of your heating and cooling system. 

2. Change Programmable Thermostat Settings for the Seasons

Programmable thermostats provide many ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically increase the temperature when you're not home. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees when the home is empty 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 track your daily patterns and automatically manage your home's temperature accordingly. By doing so, 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 your ductwork permit heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a qualified professional to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, improving insulation and eliminating air gaps all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to maintain a stable indoor temperature.

4. Perform Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Clear 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 consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Look at your system's filter monthly, replacing if dirty or every 90 days
  • Keep air vents and registers are free of obstructions
  • Make sure your thermostat is set correctly, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

5. Replace Aging, Inefficient Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Improve energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to 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. Not sure 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 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 do a lot to reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to making your home a more comfortable place Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling is the HVAC company Athol, Idaho, locals trust for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to heating and cooling installation, we provide full-service service all year. Call 208-561-1226 today for Athol, Idaho, HVAC service you can count on.