Severe weather can cause your energy bills to skyrocket, especially if your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. But there's good news. Homeowners in Chadron, Nebraska, can easily save money and reduce strain on their HVAC system by using practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these minor adjustments can help you stay comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the professionals at MPC Heating & Cooling will provide their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without sacrificing comfort.

1. Contact a Professional 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 professional furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring is a great way to make sure these systems are in peak condition and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a good time to identify and address 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 reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically adjust upward when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees while the home is unoccupied and rise again when you return. Even a few degrees 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 track your daily patterns and automatically fine-tune your home temperature. This means 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 old ductwork enable heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a trusted HVAC specialist to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, making sure you have adequate insulation and eliminating air gaps all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to maintain a stable indoor temperature.

4. Perform Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Remove debris like sticks, grass clippings and shrubs from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Wipe down the fins of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Follow a consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Look at your system's filter monthly, replacing if dirty or every 90 days
  • Ensure 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 Old, Inefficient Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Increase energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to modern high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which consumes less power than un-rated units. When selecting cooling equipment, check for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Unsure 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 measures efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more more energy efficient the equipment. These numbers are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and enhance your comfort.

Work with MPC Heating & Cooling to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling MPC Heating & Cooling is the HVAC company Chadron, Nebraska, locals turn to for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to HVAC system upgrades, we provide comprehensive service all year. Call 308-470-5613 today for Chadron, Nebraska, HVAC service you can trust.