When every dollar counts, one place to start is lower energy bills in Shreveport and Bossier City. But instead of looking into buying a new air conditioner, furnace, or HVAC to improve efficiency, you can improve the one you already have.
At SBC Cooling + Heating, our Bossier City and Shreveport HVAC experts understand how Louisiana’s long, sticky summers and short winters can push your HVAC system to work overtime and show up in your bills.
With some of our HVAC efficiency tips, you can make a few smart changes to make a real difference—and most don’t cost a dime.
Understanding the Cost of Comfort
Your HVAC system probably eats up more energy than any other system or appliance in your home. When your bills spike, it’s usually not just because of the weather. Everything from poor insulation to clogged filters to setting the thermostat too low for too long all contribute to efficiency issues.
Here are a few terms that are worth knowing:
- SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio): The higher this number, the less electricity your AC uses.
- AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency): Tells you how much of your fuel actually turns into heat instead of waste.
- Usage patterns: Even an efficient unit can waste energy if it’s cooling or heating when no one’s home.
The habits behind how you operate and take care of your system also matter just as much as the system itself.
Smarter Thermostat Habits
During the summer months, try 78°F when you’re home, and bump it up a few degrees when you leave your home. During winter, setting it to 68°F keeps things comfortable without running your heater nonstop.
A smart thermostat in Louisiana also takes the guesswork out of it. It learns your schedule, adjusts when you’re away, and keeps the temperature steady so you’re not constantly fiddling with it. Big temperature swings are the real energy killers, and slow and steady wins with stable energy bills.
Fans, Flow, and Circulation
Energy-efficient cooling can be as simple as using your ceiling fan. It can make a room feel several degrees cooler without touching the thermostat. It’s also far less expensive to operate. Just make sure it’s spinning counterclockwise in summer to push air down and clockwise in winter to pull warm air back into the room.
It’s also important to keep your vents clear, too. A couch or rug blocking a vent might not seem like much of an obstruction, but it’s enough to make your system strain harder than it should.
Managing Spaces and Zones
If your home has more than one floor, or you have big open spaces, try using zoning or dampers to control airflow. Cool or heat only the spaces you use most.
For rooms that sit empty, partially close the vents and keep doors shut. Just don’t seal off too many or you could throw your system’s pressure off and hurt efficiency. If you’re new to mini-split and ductless systems, give us a call at SBC Cooling + Heating to talk through your options.
Let Nature Help Cool and Heat Your Home
On cool mornings or breezy evenings, open up your windows and let fresh air flow through. Even a little bit of natural ventilation can cool your home before the sun ramps up.
When it’s hot out, keep your blinds or curtains closed to block out the sunlight. Remember to use your exhaust fans. They’re designed to pull out hot, humid air that makes your AC work overtime.
Keep It Tuned Up
Clean filters, clear coils, and tight ductwork make a bigger impact than most people think. Check filters monthly and swap them when they look dusty. Give our team a call for annual HVAC maintenance checks at least once or twice a year. We recommend once before summer and once before winter.
If your house feels like it’s cooling unevenly, you might be leaking air somewhere. A little insulation or duct sealing can stop wasted airflow and trim your bill fast.
When It’s Time to Upgrade
Sometimes the fix to lower energy bills in Shreveport and beyond is an HVAC replacement. Units older than 10 to 15 years can’t match the efficiency of newer ones. Upgrading to a higher SEER-rated system can lower your energy use by 20% or more.
Louisiana utilities offer regular rebates for high-efficiency models, so it’s worth checking before you buy. A well-sized, properly installed unit pays you back month after month.
Small Habits, Big Results
A few simple tweaks can quietly boost your HVAC energy savings:
- Run ovens, dryers, and dishwashers early in the morning or at night.
- Keep your thermostat steady instead of yo-yoing the temp.
- Use blinds, curtains, or even trees outside to add natural shade.
Those choices don’t seem huge, but together, they can shave 10–20% off yearly HVAC costs.
What Savings Look Like
Just raising your thermostat 4°F and running fans can save around 5–10% on cooling. Add a smart thermostat, and you could cut another $150 to $200 per year. Small habits turn into real numbers pretty quickly once you’re consistent.
Call SBC Cooling + Heating to Save Money
Lowering energy bills in Shreveport doesn’t require drastic steps. It’s about adopting simple habits that keep your system from working harder than it has to. Keep things maintained, stay mindful with your thermostat, and let your home do part of the work for you and the savings will follow.
Need to schedule Shreveport HVAC maintenance or repairs, or are you ready for a Bossier City HVAC replacement? Schedule your appointment today!
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