Harsh weather can make your energy bills to skyrocket, especially if your HVAC system is running constantly. But there's good news. Homeowners in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, can easily reduce energy expenses and reduce strain on their HVAC system by following smart energy-saving HVAC practices. From scheduling a seasonal HVAC tune-up to DIY HVAC chores, these simple changes can help you keep comfortable and lower expenses.

Here, the experts at Polar Air & Mechanical will share their best heating and cooling tips for HVAC energy efficiency to help you save on utilities without compromising 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 routine HVAC maintenance. Scheduling professional furnace maintenance in the fall and air conditioning maintenance in the spring ensures these systems are in top shape and ready for the winter and summer seasons. It's also a good time to spot and fix any performance issues, worn-out parts or brewing issues—saving you from unnecessary breakdowns and potentially maximizing the service life of your heating and cooling system. 

2. Use Programmable Thermostat Settings to Your Advantage

Programmable thermostats offer multiple 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 decrease a few degrees when no one is home and rise again when you return. 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 adapt to your schedule and automatically adjust your heating and cooling settings. Because of this smart thermostats can increase your energy efficiency—without you having to do a thing.

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

Air leaks around windows, doors and in damaged ductwork enable heated or cooled air to leak out. Work with a qualified professional to evaluate whether you need duct sealing and insulation services. Repairing or sealing air ducts, adding insulation and eliminating air gaps all help prevent energy waste by allowing your HVAC system to work less in order to keep your home warm or cool.

4. Complete Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance

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

  • Remove debris like sticks, grass clippings and shrubs from around your outdoor air conditioning equipment 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, replacing if dirty or every 90 days
  • Ensure air vents and registers are open and unblocked
  • Review your temperature schedule, ensuring it's on cool mode in summer and heating mode in winter

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

Boost energy efficiency by upgrading old, inefficient heating and cooling systems to advanced high-efficiency HVAC systems. Consider opting for ENERGY STAR®-rated HVAC equipment, which operates more efficiently than un-rated units. When picking out cooling equipment, check for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating. Not sure 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 measures efficiency in heating equipment. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the system. These ratings are important because energy-efficient HVAC systems can really help reduce energy bills and boost comfort throughout the year.

Work with Polar Air & Mechanical to Prevent HVAC Energy Waste All Year

When it comes to staying comfortable and saving money on your heating and cooling Polar Air & Mechanical is the HVAC company Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, locals turn to for their furnace, AC, heat pump and more. From seasonal HVAC tips like these to heating and cooling installation, we provide reliable service all year. Call 843-484-3783 today for Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, HVAC service you can depend on.