How to understand your home energy use — and cut costs

June 17, 2025 at 10:17 AM EDT

(BPT) - Heating and cooling systems account for around 55% of the average home's energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). And during the warmer summer months, HVAC systems are working at their hardest to keep homes cool - which means that as temperatures rise, energy bills often do, too.

Consider the following tips to boost a home's energy performance and save on utility bills to help keep costs down and improve HVAC efficiency.

Practice routine maintenance

Clean or replace filters on air conditioners or furnaces regularly, ideally once a month or as recommended. This routine practice will ensure systems run efficiently.

It's also important to schedule seasonal inspections with a professional technician, such as a Rheem Pro Partner^®, to identify and address potential issues before they become larger, more costly problems. An expert will also help evaluate the health of key components such as filters, refrigerant levels, and thermostat calibration to keep units working at peak performance.

Maintain clear airflow throughout the home

Proper insulation and air sealing techniques can achieve whole-house energy savings of 10%-20%, proving a cost-effective way to reduce energy waste.

Ensure air return points are not blocked by furniture, carpeting or drapes so that air can flow freely. Confirm that doors and windows are closed when the HVAC system is in operation, and check that loose seals or gaps around windows, doors and ducts are not causing conditioned air to escape from the home. Additionally, during warmer months, keep window coverings closed during the day to block the sun's heat.

All these practices can prevent energy waste, lower utility costs, and improve overall performance.

Evaluate equipment options

Another option homeowners may consider is upgrading their home's HVAC equipment. According to the DOE, upgrading a home's cooling and heating system can cut energy use by 20% or more, depending on the existing setup.

Most cooling and heating equipment today is built for energy efficiency. Rheem, an innovative, century-old manufacturer of trusted air solutions, crafts HVAC equipment built for energy optimization while keeping the environment in mind. Rheem offers a comprehensive lineup of sustainable solutions engineered to ensure a comfortable home and efficiencies that provide long-term budget savings. A trusted, local contractor can help a homeowner evaluate the best equipment options.

No matter a home's heating and cooling needs, these are a few tools and solutions homeowners can explore to better understand how to make a space more energy efficient.

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How to understand your home energy use — and cut costs

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