5 Energy-Saving HVAC Tips for Eugene, Oregon, Residences

Extreme weather can cause your energy bills to spike, especially when your HVAC system is running constantly. The good news? Homeowners in Eugene, Oregon, can easily reduce energy expenses and reduce stress on their HVAC system by using practical energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these small things can help you keep comfortable and cut costs.

Here, the professionals at Home Comfort will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without sacrificing comfort.

1. Schedule for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for homeowners, one that often makes the biggest impact is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling expert 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 good time to identify and address any signs of inefficiency, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from avoidable HVAC repair and potentially maximizing the service life of your heating and cooling system. 

2. Change Programmable Thermostat Settings for the Seasons

Programmable thermostats provide many ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically raise the setting when you're not home. In winter, set the temperature to lower a bit when no one is home and shift the temperature back up when you get back. Even a small temperature shift can cut down significantly on energy use.

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 adjust your heating and cooling settings. 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 home ductwork allow heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a trusted HVAC specialist to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, improving insulation and stopping airflow leaks all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.

4. Do Seasonal DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

• Sweep away debris like sticks, grass clippings and plants from around your outdoor AC unit in spring
• Clean the coils of the outdoor AC unit in spring
• Follow a consistent HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect your system's filter monthly, swapping for a clean one if it's dirty or every 90 days
• Keep air vents and registers are free of obstructions
• 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

Boost 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 operates more efficiently than non-rated units. When looking for 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. The same concept 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 significantly reduce energy bills and enhance your comfort.

Work with Home Comfort to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Home Comfort is the HVAC company Eugene, Oregon, 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 reliable service all year. Call 541-345-2838 today for Eugene, Oregon, HVAC service you can count on.