Extreme weather can make your energy bills to skyrocket, especially when your HVAC system is working overtime. But there's good news. Homeowners in Cocoa, Florida, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce strain on their HVAC system by using effective energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these small things can help you keep comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the experts at The Chilly Pig will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without sacrificing comfort.

1. Contact a Professional for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for residents, one that often makes the biggest impact is regular HVAC maintenance. Scheduling professional 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 perfect opportunity to identify and address any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially extending the life of your heating and cooling equipment. 

2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats provide many ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically raise the setting when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly when no one is home and warm back up when you get back. Even a 2–3°F temperature change can cut down significantly on energy use.

Increase your savings even more 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—without you having to do a thing.

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 seep out of your home. Work with a trusted HVAC specialist to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, adding insulation and stopping airflow leaks all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.

4. Perform Basic 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:

  • Remove debris like sticks, leaves and plants from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect your system's filter monthly, changing it if it’s clogged 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 Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Boost energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to modern high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than un-rated units. When selecting 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. This also 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 calculations are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy bills and enhance your comfort.

Work with The Chilly Pig to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to making your home a more comfortable place The Chilly Pig is the HVAC company Cocoa, Florida, locals turn to for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to heating and cooling installation, we provide comprehensive service all year. Call 321-205-1234 today for Cocoa, Florida, HVAC service you can depend on.