Extreme weather can make your energy bills to spike, especially if your HVAC system is running constantly. However, there's something you can do about it. Homeowners in Iowa City, Iowa, can easily save money and reduce stress on their HVAC system by using smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a fall or spring HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these simple changes can help you stay comfortable and cut costs.

Here, the pros at Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning will provide their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without giving up comfort.

1. Schedule for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often offers the most benefit is seasonal 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 smart time to detect and resolve any signs of inefficiency, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially maximizing the service life of your heating and cooling system. 

2. Use Specific Programmable Thermostat Settings for Winter and Summer

Programmable thermostats offer several ways to reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically increase the temperature when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees when no one is home and shift the temperature back up when you return. Even a 2–3°F temperature change can save a lot of energy.

Take your savings a step further 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—with minimal effort on your part.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in home ductwork permit heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a qualified professional to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, adding insulation and eliminating air gaps all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home comfortable.

4. Perform Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Remove debris like sticks, grass clippings and plants from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor air conditioning equipment 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
  • Keep air vents and registers are uncovered
  • Check your thermostat settings, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

5. Replace Old, Inefficient Equipment with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Improve energy efficiency by installing modern high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than un-rated units. When shopping 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. 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 efficiency measurements are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency Kelly Heating & Air Conditioning is the HVAC company Iowa City, Iowa, locals rely on for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to selecting and setting up new HVAC equipment, we provide reliable service all year. Call 319-337-3520 today for Iowa City, Iowa, HVAC service you can count on.