Harsh weather can make your energy bills to skyrocket, especially if your HVAC system is running constantly. But there's good news. Homeowners in Cottonwood, Arizona, 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 small things can help you keep comfortable and cut costs.

Here, the experts at Connolly Electric & Mechanical will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without sacrificing comfort.

1. Contact a Professional for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often makes the biggest impact is routine HVAC maintenance. Scheduling professional furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures 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 problems—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially lengthening your heating and cooling equipment's lifespan. 

2. Use Specific Programmable Thermostat Settings for Winter and Summer

Programmable thermostats provide several ways to reduce electricity use. 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 shift the temperature back up when you get home. Even a few degrees 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 learn your routines and automatically manage your home's temperature accordingly. This means smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—and you don't have to manually change the temperature.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in old ductwork permit heated or cooled air to escape. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, 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. Do Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Remove debris like sticks, dried leaves and plants from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Clean the coils 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
  • Make sure air vents and registers are uncovered
  • Review your temperature schedule, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

5. Replace Aging, Failing Equipment with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Increase energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to advanced high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which consumes less power than un-rated units. When looking for cooling equipment, check for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Not sure what SEER means? The easiest 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 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 Connolly Electric & Mechanical to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency Connolly Electric & Mechanical is the HVAC company Cottonwood, Arizona, locals turn to 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 928-862-5977 today for Cottonwood, Arizona, HVAC service you can depend on.