Severe weather can make your energy bills to get really expensive, especially if your HVAC system is working overtime. But there's good news. Homeowners in Port Clinton, Ohio, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce wear on their HVAC system by using effective energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a fall or spring HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these small things can help you keep comfortable and save money.

Here, the professionals at Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. will provide their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without sacrificing comfort.

1. Contact a Professional for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for property owners, one that often offers the most benefit is routine HVAC maintenance. Scheduling professional furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring helps make sure these systems are in optimal working order and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a perfect opportunity to spot and fix any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from costly service calls and potentially extending the life of your heating and cooling equipment. 

2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats provide several ways to save energy. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're not home. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees when the home is empty and rise again when you return. 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 learn your routines 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 Blocking Air Leaks in Your Home

Air leaks around windows, doors and in home ductwork allow heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, improving insulation and stopping airflow leaks all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home comfortable.

4. Complete Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Remove debris like sticks, dried 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: Check your system's filter monthly, changing it if it’s clogged or every 90 days
  • Make sure air vents and registers are open and unblocked
  • Check your thermostat settings, 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 installing new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than non-rated units. When selecting 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. This also is true with AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which rates efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the system. These calculations are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can really help reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Ohler & Holzhauer Inc. is the HVAC company Port Clinton, Ohio, 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 comprehensive service all year. Call 419-732-2121 today for Port Clinton, Ohio, HVAC service you can trust.