12 Ways to Increase the Efficiency of Your HVAC Unit

Introduction to HVAC Efficiency:

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are the heart of your home’s climate control. Whether it’s keeping your living room warm and toasty during winter or ensuring your bedroom stays cool on a sweltering summer day, HVAC systems play a crucial role in keeping you comfortable year-round. Beyond comfort, they also help keep you safe from extreme outdoor temperatures, providing a stable indoor environment during heatwaves or cold snaps.

2. Proper Maintenance Can Boost HVAC Efficiency

Consistent, long-term maintenance is key to keeping your HVAC system running efficiently and extending its lifespan. While routine checks address immediate needs, regular professional maintenance ensures that your unit stays in top condition year after year.

Proper maintenance involves more than just cleaning; it includes tasks like checking refrigerant levels, tightening electrical connections and lubricating moving parts. When these components are regularly maintained, your system can function smoothly and efficiently.

According to Energy.gov, well-maintained HVAC systems not only perform better but can also last several years longer than units that receive minimal upkeep. Regularly scheduled maintenance can help avoid emergency breakdowns, which can be both inconvenient and expensive to fix.

To maximize your HVAC system’s efficiency and longevity, consider setting up a maintenance schedule with a professional technician. Annual or bi-annual tune-ups can identify potential issues early, ensure optimal performance and keep your home comfortable year-round.

🧑‍🔧Savings Tip: EPB customers can get back $50 for hiring a certified contractor to service your HVAC system. See What Qualifies. 

Sealing ducts is one of the most effective ways to improve your system’s efficiency. When ducts are properly sealed, conditioned air is delivered where it’s needed without escaping through gaps or cracks. This ensures your home stays comfortable, and your HVAC system doesn’t have to compensate for lost air by running longer or more frequently.

Not only does sealing ducts save energy—it can also help improve indoor air quality. Leaky ducts can draw in dust, mold and other contaminants from unconditioned spaces like attics and crawlspaces, which then circulate throughout your home. By sealing the ducts, you can minimize these issues and ensure cleaner, healthier air inside your living space.

For maximum efficiency, consider having a professional perform a duct inspection and sealing. This may involve applying mastic sealant or metal-backed tape (foil tape) to areas with visible leaks, as well as insulating ducts that run through unconditioned spaces.

These steps can drastically improve your HVAC system’s performance, allowing you to save on energy bills while maintaining a comfortable home environment year-round.

🧑‍🔧Savings Tip: If you’re an EPB customer, you can get back $300 for hiring a qualified professional to seal, repair or replace your ductwork. See What Qualifies.

Advanced features like programmable thermostats allow you to set precise temperature schedules, ensuring the system only operates when needed and helping to minimize energy consumption throughout the day.

Additionally, newer units often come with better warranties and longer lifespans, which means you’ll save on maintenance and repair costs in the long run. For homeowners who plan to stay in their homes for a while, investing in the latest HVAC technology can lead to substantial energy savings, increased comfort and more resale value for your home.

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends considering factors like the unit’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating and heating efficiency when shopping for a new HVAC system.

Units with a higher SEER rating provide more efficient cooling, which translates to lower energy bills. Plus, advanced systems can often integrate with other energy-saving measures, such as home weatherization efforts, to maximize efficiency. By upgrading your HVAC unit, you’re not just investing in better comfort but also making a smart financial decision that can yield returns for years.

🧑‍🔧Savings Tip: If you decide to purchase a new HVAC unit, check with your local utility provider for incentives and rebates. EPB customers can get rebates of $800 or more for replacing an older HVAC system. See What Qualifies. 

Tips for Effective Insulation:

• Focus on key areas. Make sure to insulate attics, walls, floors and crawl spaces. These are the main areas where heat loss or gain can occur.
  
• Choose the right R-value. The R-value measures how well insulation resists heat flow. A higher R-value provides better insulation. Choose the appropriate R-value based on your climate and specific area of the home.
  
• Seal gaps and cracks. Insulation works best when combined with air sealing. Seal any gaps around windows, doors and ducts to prevent drafts and enhance the effectiveness of your insulation.
  
• Add floor insulation. Insulating floors, especially over unheated spaces like basements or crawl spaces, can prevent cold air from leaking into heated rooms.

Properly insulating your home not only boosts comfort but also enhances the efficiency of your HVAC system. By reducing the workload on your unit, you’ll see lower energy bills and a longer lifespan for your heating and cooling equipment.

🧑‍🔧Savings Tip: For extra savings, check with your energy provider for incentives or rebates. EPB customers can get back up to $800 per home for insulation upgrades. See What Qualifies.

While energy-efficient doors and windows may have a high upfront cost, the long-term savings from reduced energy bills can quickly offset this expense. Windows with a low U-factor and high solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) are especially beneficial in colder climates, while those with lower SHGC help in warmer regions.

Upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors is an effective way to keep your home comfortable year-round, reduce your carbon footprint and see noticeable savings on your energy bills.

🧑‍🔧Savings Tip: Some regions offer rebates or tax credits for homeowners who invest in energy-efficient upgrades, making it more affordable to install new windows and doors.

Tips for Saving Energy With Ceiling Fans

• Switch the direction of your ceiling fan based on the season. Use the counterclockwise setting for summer and the clockwise setting for winter.
  
• Turn off your fans when you’re not in the room. Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms, so remember to turn them off when you leave.
  
• Use energy-efficient ceiling fans. Look for EnergyStar® certified fans to optimize energy savings.
  
• When you turn on the fan, adjust your thermostat. Set your thermostat to a more cost-effective temperature to make the most of your fans’ cooling or warming effects.

Benefits of Strategic Planting:

• Safety Tip: Before you plant a new tree, research the maximum height it can reach in adulthood. Then, position the tree at least that far away from your home, power lines and other structures. This minimizes the damage it can do if it falls during a storm.
  
• Windbreaks in Winter: Dense evergreen trees and shrubs can help shield your home from wind so that it’s easier to heat in colder months.
  
• Shade in Summer: Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides of your home provide cooling shade during hotter months.

9. Implement Zoning Systems for Tailored Comfort

One way to improve your HVAC system’s energy efficiency is to divide your home into “zoning” systems. An HVAC zoning system uses a series of automatic dampers installed in your ductwork to control the flow of air to different areas of your home. These dampers open and close as needed to redirect heating or cooling to specific zones, allowing you to adjust temperatures more effectively.

For example, dampers might close off airflow to unused rooms downstairs, enabling your system to cool the upstairs more efficiently.

With zoning, you can control how much energy your home uses to heat or cool, reduce utility costs and enjoy a more comfortable living environment—all without overworking your HVAC system.

How Zoning Works:

• Targeted Heating and Cooling: Dampers direct conditioned air where it’s needed, preventing energy waste in unoccupied areas.
  
• Separate Temperature Control: Each zone has its own thermostat, so you can set custom temperatures for different parts of the home based on usage.
  
• Adaptable Comfort: Zoned systems respond to factors like room occupancy, sun exposure and time of day, making heating and cooling more efficient and tailored to your needs.
  

Benefits of an HVAC Zoning System:

• Lower Energy Costs: By focusing heating and cooling on specific zones, you can reduce energy consumption and save on utility bills.
• Extended HVAC Lifespan: Zoning reduces the strain on your system by avoiding overuse, helping it run more efficiently and last longer.
  
• Smart Control Options: Many zoning systems integrate with smart thermostats, allowing you to adjust settings remotely or schedule changes throughout the day.
  

Tip: For the best results, consult an HVAC professional when designing a zoning system. They can assess your home’s layout and recommend zones that maximize energy efficiency and comfort.

How Zoning Improves Efficiency and Comfort:

• Targeted Heating and Cooling: Zoning enables your HVAC system to deliver conditioned air only where it’s needed, preventing overheating or overcooling. This targeted approach can lead to energy savings of 21-42% and reduce system wear, which prolongs its lifespan.
  
• Separate Temperature Control: Each zone has its own thermostat, allowing you to customize temperature settings based on room usage. For example, bedrooms can stay cooler at night, while living areas remain comfortable during the day.
  
• Adaptability to Different Needs: Zoned systems can adjust heating and cooling based on sun exposure, room occupancy, and even time of day, making your HVAC system more efficient and responsive.

Benefits Beyond Comfort:

• Reduced Energy Consumption: By only heating or cooling specific areas, zoning can significantly lower energy costs. It also allows the HVAC system to run more smoothly, requiring fewer repairs and extending its lifespan.
  
• Remote Control and Programmability: Many zoning systems come with smart thermostats that can be controlled remotely, giving you flexibility to adjust settings even when you’re not home.

🧑‍🔧Savings Tip: When designing a zoning system, it’s a good idea to hire an HVAC expert who can help identify the best zones based on your home’s layout and your comfort needs.

Tip: Always consult with a certified HVAC professional to avoid undersizing or oversizing your unit. If you’re an EPB customer and you need help with HVAC sizing, you can schedule a free consultation with our EPB Energy ProsSM by chat, over the phone or in person. Schedule Now.

How to Improve Ventilation and Air Quality:

• Install Exhaust Fans: Exhaust fans in areas like bathrooms and kitchens can help remove moisture, odors and airborne contaminants, preventing mold growth and keeping your home’s air fresher.
  
• Add Vents or Ventilation Systems: Ensure your home has sufficient vents to allow air to flow freely between rooms. For larger spaces or homes with limited natural ventilation, consider a whole-house ventilation system to bring in fresh outdoor air.
  
• Use Air Purifiers: Portable or HVAC-integrated air purifiers can remove airborne particles, such as dust, pollen, and bacteria, enhancing your home’s air quality.
  
• Schedule Regular Maintenance: Keeping your HVAC system’s filters clean and checking ductwork for blockages ensures proper airflow and prevents unnecessary strain on your system.

Improving ventilation not only promotes a healthier living environment but also reduces the workload on your HVAC system, extending its lifespan and enhancing its efficiency.

12. Schedule Your Comfort to Save Money and Energy

You can save up to 10% annually on heating and cooling costs by adjusting your thermostat settings strategically. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning your thermostat back 7–10°F from its usual setting for about eight hours a day can significantly reduce energy use. This approach works especially well in milder climates, where the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures is smaller.

Tips to maximize savings without sacrificing comfort:

• In the Winter: Set your thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you’re home and awake, and lower it when you’re asleep or away. This reduces heat loss and minimizes energy use.
  
• In the Summer: Keep your house warmer when you’re away and adjust the thermostat to the highest comfortable setting when you’re home to reduce cooling costs. Maintaining a higher interior temperature also helps control humidity.
  
• Use a programmable or “smart” thermostat: Simplify this process by using a thermostat that automatically adjusts temperature settings based on your schedule to help you avoid discomfort.

Avoid the common misconception that it takes more energy to reheat or re-cool your home after a setback. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, keeping your home at lower temperatures in the winter or higher temperatures in the summer for extended periods reduces the overall energy lost to or gained from the surrounding environment.

With thoughtful thermostat management, you can enjoy a more efficient home, lower energy bills, and year-round comfort.

• Set reminders to routinely check your HVAC system and change your air filters.
• Schedule seasonal tune-ups with an HVAC service to maximize your energy  efficiency, increase the lifespan of your system and avoid costly repairs.
• Check your air ducts for leaks and make sure they’re sealed.
• Upgrade your HVAC unit, if necessary, to a modern, energy-efficient model.
• Insulate your home’s ceilings, floors and walls where needed.
• Install energy-efficient doors and windows to maintain stable indoor temperatures and minimize heat transfer.
• Use fans to maintain comfort while setting your thermostat to a more efficient setting.
• Strategically landscape your home to block cold wind in the winter and add cooling shade in the summer.
• Create HVAC zoning systems to reduce energy waste and enhance comfort.
• Make sure your HVAC system is properly sized to avoid inefficiencies and unnecessary wear.
• Add ventilation and air purifiers to reduce strain on your system.
• Use a programmable or smart thermostat that automatically adjusts to a more efficient setting while you’re asleep or away.

Each of these strategies plays a vital role in improving your home’s energy efficiency and comfort. By investing in these simple yet impactful changes, you can enjoy more savings, enhanced comfort and a healthier living environment.

Not sure where to start? If you’re an EPB customer, you can schedule a free consultation with the EPB Energy Pros℠ by phone, chat or in person. We’ll answer your energy questions, make recommendations on which tasks to prioritize first and help you find all the ways to save—at no cost to you. Schedule Now.