Severe weather can make your energy bills to get really expensive, especially if your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. But there's good news. Homeowners in Sylmar, California, can easily reduce energy expenses and reduce strain on their HVAC system by following practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these simple changes can help you stay comfortable and save money.

Here, the experts at AZ Air Conditioning and Heating will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you reduce energy bills without giving up comfort.

1. Get for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often makes the biggest impact is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling expert furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in top shape and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a smart time to spot and fix any inefficiencies, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from unnecessary breakdowns and potentially extending the life of your heating and cooling equipment. 

2. Use Specific Programmable Thermostat Settings for Winter and Summer

Programmable thermostats provide many ways to save energy. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically increase the temperature when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly when no one is home and shift the temperature back up when you return. Even a few degrees can make a noticeable difference.

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 manage your home's temperature accordingly. Because of this smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—with minimal effort on your part.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in damaged ductwork enable 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. 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. Complete Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Remove debris like sticks, grass clippings and plants from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wash the condenser coils of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Check your system's filter monthly, replacing if dirty or every 90 days
  • Ensure air vents and registers are free of obstructions
  • Review your temperature schedule, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

5. Replace Aging, Inefficient Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Improve energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting 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 simplest SEER rating explanation: the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. The same 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 improve year-round performance.

Work with AZ Air Conditioning and Heating to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling AZ Air Conditioning and Heating is the HVAC company Sylmar, California, locals turn to 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 (877) 559-6081 today for Sylmar, California, HVAC service you can count on.