Extreme weather can make your energy bills to spike, especially when your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. The good news? Homeowners in Hudsonville, Michigan, can easily save money and reduce wear on their HVAC system by using smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a routine HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these simple changes can help you keep comfortable and cut costs.

Here, the professionals at West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services will offer 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 offers the most benefit is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling professional furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in optimal working order and ready for the heating and cooling seasons. It's also a smart time to detect and resolve any performance issues, 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 Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats offer multiple ways to reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically increase the temperature when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly when no one is home and warm back up when you get back. Even a 2–3°F temperature change 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 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 allow heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a qualified professional to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Addressing duct issues, making sure you have adequate insulation and stopping airflow leaks all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to maintain a stable indoor temperature.

4. Do Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Clear debris like sticks, leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Clean the coils of the outdoor AC unit in spring
  • Follow a regular HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect 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 Old, Failing Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Increase energy efficiency by replacing outdated HVAC equipment with new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Keep an eye out for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which consumes less power 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 measures efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the system. These ratings are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and improve year-round performance.

Work with West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste in Your Home

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency West Michigan Heating & Air Conditioning Services is the HVAC company Hudsonville, Michigan, locals turn to for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to HVAC system upgrades, we provide full-service service all year. Call 616-971-6428 today for Hudsonville, Michigan, HVAC service you can depend on.