Winter in Phoenix may not bring freezing temperatures, but your HVAC system still plays a crucial role in maintaining comfort. Even during the cooler months, inefficient heating can lead to higher energy bills and unnecessary strain on your system.
The good news? With a few smart adjustments, you can keep your home warm on chilly desert nights while maximizing energy efficiency. Here are some key strategies to help you save.
1. Clean or Replace Your Air Filters
Air filters are essential for keeping your heating system running efficiently, but not all filters are the same. When clogged with dust and debris, filters restrict airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder to circulate warm air. This extra strain increases energy consumption and can lead to overheating, reduced efficiency, or even system malfunctions.
Additionally, using a filter with a higher MERV rating than your system can handle may restrict airflow too much, making your furnace work harder than necessary. While high-efficiency filters trap more particles, it’s important to check your furnace’s specifications to ensure compatibility. To maintain efficiency, check your filter regularly and replace or clean it every one to three months.
Locate the filter in your furnace or return vents, remove the old one while noting its size and airflow direction, and install a properly rated replacement. If you have a reusable filter, vacuum and rinse it with mild detergent, allowing it to dry completely before reinserting. Choosing the right filter and keeping it clean ensures better airflow, lower energy bills, and a longer-lasting heating system.
2. Reprogram the Thermostat
Your thermostat acts as the brain of your heating system, controlling when it turns on and off to maintain your desired comfort level. Because of this, it plays a direct role in how much energy your HVAC system consumes.
To improve efficiency during a mild winter, set your thermostat to no higher than 68°F when you’re awake and at home. This keeps your home warm without overworking your system. If you feel chilly, layering up with a sweater or blanket is an easy way to stay comfortable without increasing energy costs. When you’re away, lower the thermostat by about 5 degrees—a 63°F setting is typically enough to prevent plumbing issues while making it easy to warm the house back up when you return.
For even greater efficiency, consider upgrading to a smart thermostat with geofencing technology. These models use your smartphone’s GPS to detect when you leave or return home, automatically adjusting the temperature for optimal energy savings. Many smart thermostats can also learn your heating habits—such as your preferred sleeping temperature, when you’re typically away, and which rooms you heat the most—and use this data to create a customized heating schedule that maximizes comfort while reducing energy consumption.
3. Maximize Natural Heat
Take advantage of the free heat from the sun to minimize straining your HVAC. On sunny days, open curtains on south-facing windows to allow sunlight to naturally warm your home. In the evening, close the curtains to trap heat inside your house.
4. Seal Drafts
Heat naturally moves from warmer areas to cooler ones, just as air flows from high-pressure zones to low-pressure zones to balance environmental conditions. During winter, this means that the warmth inside your home will transfer outside, especially through windows, doors, and any small gaps or cracks in your home’s structure.
Windows and doors are the most common areas for heat loss, particularly if they are left open, lack proper weatherstripping, or have small leaks around their frames. Even minor gaps can lead to significant energy waste, making your heating system work harder to maintain indoor comfort.
To improve efficiency and prevent excessive heat loss, reseal windows and doors with weatherstripping or caulking to minimize drafts. You can inspect for air leaks yourself using a candle or smoke test, or hire a professional for a more thorough evaluation and sealing recommendations.
For added insulation, consider installing thermal curtains or blinds. These coverings create a barrier between your windows and living space, helping to reduce heat loss in winter and block excess heat in summer, improving overall energy efficiency.
5. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up
Hire a professional HVAC technician to assess the condition of your system and make it as efficient and effective as possible. Your heating system is much like your car—it is a complex piece of equipment with hundreds of components working together to improve your indoor air quality. It is subject to wear and tear and has a finite lifespan.
At least once a year, ask a professional to inspect your heating system and AC! Unlike many HVAC companies that rush through maintenance visits in just 20-30 minutes, we take a more thorough approach. Our deep cleaning process takes up to two hours, ensuring every component is properly inspected and cleaned. One major differentiator? We always pull and clean the blower wheel—a step that most companies charge $600 to $1,000 for. This meticulous service helps extend the lifespan of your system, improve energy efficiency, and prevent costly breakdowns.
These services also include tightening all electrical components, securing mounts and connectors, cleaning the coils, ducts, and condensate drainage system, recalibrating the thermostat, and lubricating all moving parts. If we find a component that’s about to give out, we will recommend repairs or replacements to avoid future problems!
6. Maximize Comfort and Efficiency with Whole-Home HVAC Solutions
A properly sized and well-maintained HVAC system is essential for energy efficiency, but optimizing your entire home’s climate control can take comfort and savings even further. By incorporating whole-home solutions like air balancing, humidity control, and advanced air distribution, you can significantly reduce strain on your HVAC system and improve overall indoor comfort.
A high-performing HVAC system doesn’t just heat or cool—it efficiently circulates air throughout your entire home. Ceiling fans play a key role in this process by helping to distribute warm air that naturally rises to the ceiling, pushing it back down to the living areas where you need it most. This improved air movement allows your HVAC system to work less while keeping your home evenly heated, reducing both energy consumption and utility costs.
Humidity levels have a direct impact on how warm your home feels. Dry winter air loses heat quickly, making your heating system work harder to maintain indoor temperatures. A whole-home humidifier helps by adding moisture to the air, allowing it to retain heat more effectively. This means you can stay comfortable at lower thermostat settings, easing the workload on your HVAC system and further lowering energy bills.
For the best efficiency and comfort, consider integrating these whole-home solutions into your HVAC system. Our team can assess your home’s specific needs and recommend the right air balancing, humidity control, and air distribution options to ensure a perfectly regulated indoor environment year-round.
Contact Emergency Air Heating Cooling & Plumbing for More Energy Saving Tips
If you live in the Phoenix Metro area, call to implement these energy-saving tips in your home. We will repair, service, or install any type of HVAC system that’s best suited for your house. You can also reach out to us for any plumbing service or indoor air quality solution.
Contact Emergency Air Heating Cooling & Plumbing today to improve your HVAC system’s energy efficiency.
