Harsh weather can make your energy bills to skyrocket, especially if your HVAC system is running constantly. The good news? Homeowners in Richmond, British Columbia, can cut heating and cooling costs and reduce wear on their HVAC system by using effective energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a fall or spring HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these minor adjustments can help you stay comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the pros at Refrigeration Systems Ltd. will provide 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 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 winter and summer seasons. It's also a perfect opportunity to detect and resolve any performance issues, 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 many ways to conserve power. In summer, set your thermostat to automatically raise the setting when you're away. In winter, set the temperature to drop slightly while the home is unoccupied and warm back up when you get back. Even a few degrees 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 learn your routines and automatically manage your home's temperature accordingly. Because of this smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—without you having to do a thing.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in your ductwork allow heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a reliable HVAC technician to find out if you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, adding 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 professional HVAC maintenance, you can reduce energy bills by tackling these home HVAC maintenance tips:

  • Remove debris like sticks, 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 seasonal HVAC air filter replacement schedule: Inspect your system's filter monthly, changing it if it’s clogged or every 90 days
  • Make sure air vents and registers are open and unblocked
  • Check your thermostat settings, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

5. Replace Aging, Failing Equipment with Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Increase energy efficiency by replacing outdated HVAC equipment with new high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which uses less energy than un-rated units. When shopping 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 is true with AFUE, or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, which rates 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 do a lot to reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Refrigeration Systems Ltd. to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to comfort and energy efficiency Refrigeration Systems Ltd. is the HVAC company Richmond, British Columbia, locals trust 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 778-764-2026 today for Richmond, British Columbia, HVAC service you can depend on.