Harsh weather can make your energy bills to skyrocket, especially if your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. But there's good news. Homeowners in Florissant, Missouri, can easily save money and reduce strain on their HVAC system by using smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these simple changes can help you stay comfortable and cut costs.

Here, the experts at B & B Heating & Cooling will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without compromising comfort.

1. Get for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for homeowners, one that often has the greatest impact is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling pro furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in optimal working order and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a good time to identify and address any signs of inefficiency, worn-out parts or brewing problems—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 offer many ways to reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when the home is empty and rise again when you get back. Even a 2–3°F temperature change can save a lot of energy.

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. Because of this 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 old ductwork permit heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, making sure you have adequate 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. Do Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Remove debris like sticks, leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor air conditioning equipment 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
  • Make sure air vents and registers are uncovered
  • Make sure your thermostat is set correctly, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

5. Replace Old, 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 operates more efficiently than un-rated units. When picking out 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 rates efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more more energy efficient the equipment. These numbers are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and enhance your comfort.

Work with B & B Heating & Cooling to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste Year-Round

When it comes to making your home a more comfortable place B & B Heating & Cooling is the HVAC company Florissant, Missouri, 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 314-668-8530 today for Florissant, Missouri, HVAC service you can count on.