Save on HVAC costs with these five moves

save money – HVAC can quietly drain household budgets: up to 40% of annual energy costs and as much as $400 a year lost from outdated systems or air leaks. A handful of upgrades and maintenance—new efficiency equipment, sealed ducts, smart scheduling, biannual tune-ups, an

The thermostat can feel like it’s doing its job—until the utility bill arrives. For many homeowners, heating and cooling costs aren’t just high; they’re often higher than they need to be.

HVAC systems take up as much as 40% of annual energy costs. and if the system is outdated or allows air to leak. homeowners could be losing as much as $400 per year. Depending on where you live, spending can range from $340 to nearly $700 per year on a central air conditioner alone. In hotter regions, with an older HVAC system or without regular maintenance, those costs can climb further.

This year, the biggest financial differences come down to a mix of equipment upgrades and simple fixes that stop the system from working overtime.

One of the quickest wins is swapping out old equipment. Experts say that if an HVAC system is more than 10 to 15 years old. upgrading to a newer. high-efficiency model can save hundreds of dollars per year. Steve Wade. a senior director of operations and procurement at ARS. tied the savings to what happens when efficiency improves under the same conditions: “Assuming the same exact conditions year over year in an upgraded furnace and air conditioning system this year. you would comfortably save 30 to 40% on the electrical usage on today’s system versus the one that was 20 years old.”.

If budgets are tighter, homeowners can still cut costs without replacing the entire system. One of the most cost-effective upgrades is improving what the system can’t fix on its own: where air goes missing.

Sealing ductwork and improving insulation can prevent heat or cold air from escaping through leaky ducts. doors. windows. and other weak spots in the home. ARS general manager in Texas, Joey Dooley, emphasized the stakes: “Sealing the ducts, reducing air leakage, sealing the system properly…. That’s critical. If air is escaping. your system has to work that much harder to keep your home comfortable. meaning higher energy bills and more wear and tear on your equipment.”.

Homeowners can also check doors and windows for drafts and use weatherstripping or caulk to patch leaks. The point is straightforward: even small leaks can add up, and tightening up the home’s envelope and duct system improves efficiency and reduces costs.

For people who want changes that fit into daily life, a smart thermostat can deliver savings by helping regulate temperatures more intentionally. A newer HVAC system may be the biggest lever overall, but smart scheduling can be a lower-cost alternative.

Wade described the practical advantage: “Every smart home thermostat would have that same ability to turn the temperature off when you’re away [and] to turn it back on. even as you’re returning home.” He also pointed to how small adjustments can matter. A common example is setting back temperatures when leaving for work and returning to comfort before the end of the day. Wade explained it this way: “if you leave the home in the morning and go to work Monday through Friday… you can set back your temperature 7 to 10 degrees and allow the home to be a cooler temperature or a warmer temperature depending on season. And then, as you return home, it can return to your desired temperature.”.

That same principle—preventing waste before it becomes expensive—also underpins maintenance. HVAC tune-ups are often framed as “comfort” work, but they’re also a way to protect the budget.

Dooley called biannual maintenance the baseline: “Biannual maintenance is the baseline.” He said an HVAC tune-up each spring and fall can catch minor problems before they turn into major. costly repairs. Regular maintenance can also help extend an HVAC system’s life and flag when it’s time to replace it.

There’s also a warranty angle. “Almost every manufacturer recommends it. and I can tell you that a lot of them also effectively require maintenance if you want to protect your warranty. ” Dooley said. Maintenance records may be needed to cash in on a manufacturer’s warranty or an extended HVAC warranty.

Finally, there’s the simplest step—one that can be easy to overlook when costs already feel out of control. Changing air filters regularly helps the system run efficiently by keeping airflow from getting restricted.

Experts recommend changing the air filter every one to three months at minimum. Dirty filters restrict airflow and force the HVAC unit to work harder, which can lead to higher energy bills.

Even without a full equipment overhaul, the path to lower HVAC costs can be clear: make the system more efficient, keep conditioned air inside the home, schedule temperature intelligently, prevent small issues from becoming expensive failures, and maintain airflow with routine filter changes.

HVAC costs energy bills smart thermostat duct sealing home insulation HVAC maintenance air filters home energy efficiency ARS