Severe weather can make your energy bills to skyrocket, especially when your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. However, there's something you can do about it. Homeowners in Mason City, Iowa, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce wear on their HVAC system by following effective energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these simple changes can help you stay comfortable and cut costs.

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

1. Schedule for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often has the greatest impact is routine HVAC maintenance. Scheduling pro furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring is a great way to make sure these systems are in optimal working order and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a smart time to detect and resolve any signs of inefficiency, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from costly service calls and potentially lengthening your heating and cooling equipment's lifespan. 

2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats offer several ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically increase the temperature when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when the home is empty and warm back up when you return. Even a few degrees can make a noticeable difference.

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 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 Sealing 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 evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, improving insulation and blocking drafts all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.

4. Do Seasonal DIY HVAC Maintenance

In addition to bringing in an expert for routine HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by handling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Sweep away debris like sticks, leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Clean the coils of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Follow a seasonal HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Look at your system's filter monthly, replacing if dirty or every 90 days
  • Make sure 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 Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Boost energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to advanced high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than un-rated units. When looking for 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 rates 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 boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Mechanical Air Systems Co to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste Year-Round

When it comes to making your home a more comfortable place Mechanical Air Systems Co is the HVAC company Mason City, Iowa, locals trust for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to heating and cooling installation, we provide reliable service all year. Call 641-454-6572 today for Mason City, Iowa, HVAC service you can count on.