Severe weather can cause your energy bills to get really expensive, especially if your HVAC system is running constantly. The good news? Homeowners in Wausau, Wisconsin, can cut heating and cooling costs 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 lower expenses.

Here, the professionals at Gilray Heating and Cooling will offer their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you reduce energy bills without compromising comfort.

1. Schedule for Seasonal HVAC Maintenance

Of all the energy-saving HVAC tips for residents, one that often offers the most benefit is seasonal HVAC maintenance. Scheduling expert furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in optimal working order and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a smart time to spot and fix any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing problems—saving you from costly service calls 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 not home. In winter, set the temperature to decrease a few degrees when the home is empty and rise again when you return. Even a small temperature shift can save a lot of energy.

Push your savings up a notch with a smart thermostat. One of the many smart thermostat benefits is their ability to adapt to your schedule and automatically fine-tune your home temperature. By doing so, 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 damaged ductwork permit heated or cooled air to seep out of your home. Work with a qualified professional to determine if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Fixing leaky ductwork, improving insulation and eliminating air gaps all help reduce energy bills by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.

4. Do Basic DIY HVAC Maintenance

In addition to bringing in an expert for professional HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by handling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Clear debris like sticks, dried leaves and shrubs from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Clean the coils of the outdoor air conditioning equipment in spring
  • Follow a regular HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Check your system's filter monthly, changing it if it’s clogged 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 Equipment with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Boost energy efficiency by replacing outdated HVAC equipment with modern high-efficiency HVAC systems. Look for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than non-rated units. When selecting cooling equipment, check for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Unsure what SEER means? The simplest SEER rating explanation: the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system. The same 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 calculations are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can significantly reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Gilray Heating and Cooling to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Gilray Heating and Cooling is the HVAC company Wausau, Wisconsin, locals trust 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 715-515-7221 today for Wausau, Wisconsin, HVAC service you can trust.