Whether saving more money is a constant focus or just a New Year’s resolution, an effective means to achieve your goal is to reduce your energy bills. Considering that heating and cooling systems account for approximately half of most consumers’ electric bills, this is a great place to start. 

To help you save energy on heating and cooling costs, we compiled a list of practical tips for maintaining your HVAC system and ensuring that it runs at peak efficiency.

• Change your filter. A dirty air filter makes an HVAC system work harder to produce the air that is needed to make your home comfortable. This increases energy costs and results in additional wear and tear on your system. Since a clean air filter can reduce energy consumption by around 10 percent, according to Energy.gov, this is one of the easiest and most effective methods for saving on heating and cooling costs. Not sure when you should change your filter? Be sure to check out our article, “When To Change Your Filter,” on our website, www.obrienservice.com. 
• Have annual maintenance performed. You wouldn’t go years without getting maintenance on your car, would you? The same logic applies to heating and cooling systems. Having a qualified technician perform annual maintenance is one of the most important heating and cooling energy saving tips. Most HVAC systems run nearly 365 days a year. Without proper maintenance, it will be impossible for a system to run as efficiently as it should. A maintenance inspection can uncover small issues before they become major problems, necessitating costly repairs. During the inspection, a professional will clean major parts to help your system run more smoothly and also will clean drain lines to prevent water leaks.
• Install a programmable thermostat. Why have your system running full-blast when your house is empty? If you are away from home at regular intervals or go to work at about the same time each day, a programmable thermostat can provide a substantial return on investment. A programmable thermostat allows you to set a schedule so the system can rest when it isn’t needed, yet still provide a comfortable indoor temperature for your return. Some programmable thermostats are Wi-Fi compatible, which means HVAC settings can be adjusted by using a smartphone.
• Install a new, energy efficient system. Although replacing an HVAC system has a high “up-front” cost, doing so will deliver a significant amount of savings over the long-term. If a heating and air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, chances are it’s not going to run as efficiently as a system made today. Maintenance costs and energy bills can quickly add up with older systems, plus many older systems struggle to maintain a comfortable temperature setting. If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, it’s probably time to replace it with something that is newer and more energy efficient. Be sure to have a proper load calculation before having a new system installed in your home.