Harsh weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially if your HVAC system is working overtime. The good news? Homeowners in Cocoa, Florida, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce wear on their HVAC system by following smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a fall or spring HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these simple changes can help you keep comfortable and cut costs.

Here, the pros at The Chilly Pig will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you reduce energy bills without compromising comfort.

1. Schedule for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for residents, one that often makes the biggest impact is routine 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 performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from unnecessary breakdowns and potentially extending the life of your heating and cooling equipment. 

2. Change Programmable Thermostat Settings for the Seasons

Programmable thermostats offer several 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 drop slightly when no one is home and rise again when you get back. Even a small temperature shift 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 track your daily patterns and automatically manage your home's temperature accordingly. By doing so, smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—without you having to do a thing.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in your ductwork permit heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a qualified professional to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, 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 Seasonal DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Sweep away debris like sticks, leaves and plants from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wash the condenser coils of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Follow a regular HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Check your system's filter monthly, changing it if it’s clogged 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 Equipment with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Increase energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which operates more efficiently than non-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. 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 numbers are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with The Chilly Pig to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling The Chilly Pig is the HVAC company Cocoa, Florida, locals trust for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to HVAC system upgrades, we provide reliable service all year. Call 321-205-1234 today for Cocoa, Florida, HVAC service you can trust.