Severe weather can cause your energy bills to get really expensive, especially when your HVAC system is pushed to its limits. But there's good news. Homeowners in Moline, Illinois, can easily reduce energy expenses and reduce wear on their HVAC system by using practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC maintenance, these small things can help you keep comfortable and save money.

Here, the experts at Freed Heating & Air Conditioning will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you cut your monthly utility costs without giving up comfort.

1. Contact a Professional for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for homeowners, one that often offers the most benefit is routine HVAC maintenance. Scheduling pro furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring is a great way to make sure 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 inefficiencies, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially extending the life of your heating and cooling equipment. 

2. Change Programmable Thermostat Settings for the Seasons

Programmable thermostats offer several ways to reduce electricity use. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically increase the temperature when you're out of the home. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees when no one is home and shift the temperature back up when you get home. Even a small temperature shift 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. Because of this smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—with minimal effort on your part.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in home ductwork enable heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, making sure you have adequate insulation and blocking drafts all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to maintain a stable indoor temperature.

4. Complete Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Sweep away debris like sticks, grass clippings and shrubs from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Wash the condenser coils of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Follow a consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Check your system's filter monthly, replacing if dirty or every 90 days
  • Keep air vents and registers are uncovered
  • Check your thermostat settings, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

5. Replace Old, Failing Units with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Boost energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Keep an eye out for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than non-rated units. When looking for 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. The same concept is true with AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which shows energy efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the system. These efficiency measurements are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can do a lot to reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Freed Heating & Air Conditioning to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste Year-Round

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Freed Heating & Air Conditioning is the HVAC company Moline, Illinois, locals turn to for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to heating and cooling installation, we provide comprehensive service all year. Call 309-865-5115 today for Moline, Illinois, HVAC service you can trust.