Extreme weather can make your energy bills to get really expensive, especially when your HVAC system is working overtime. But there's good news. Homeowners in Muskogee, Oklahoma, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce strain on their HVAC system by using practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these simple changes can help you keep comfortable and save money.

Here, the pros at Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without compromising comfort.

1. Get for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for residents, one that often has the greatest impact is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling pro furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in peak condition and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a perfect opportunity to spot and fix any inefficiencies, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair 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 adjust upward when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when no one is home and rise again when you get home. Even a 2–3°F temperature change can save a lot of energy.

Increase your savings even more with a smart thermostat. One of the many smart thermostat benefits is their ability to track your daily patterns and automatically fine-tune your home temperature. By doing so, smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—without you having to do a thing.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in damaged ductwork permit heated or cooled air to escape. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, improving insulation and eliminating air gaps all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.

4. Complete Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Remove debris like sticks, dried 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: Look at your system's filter monthly, swapping for a clean one if it's dirty or every 90 days
  • Make sure air vents and registers are uncovered
  • Review your temperature schedule, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

5. Replace Aging, 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 picking out cooling equipment, check for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Not sure what SEER means? The basic SEER rating explanation: the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. This also 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 calculations are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. is the HVAC company Muskogee, Oklahoma, 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 full-service service all year. Call 918-682-8238 today for Muskogee, Oklahoma, HVAC service you can count on.