It's no secret that heating and cooling your home can cost a lot of money, especially if you live in an area that gets particularly hot or cold. Fortunately, there are ways to save on your monthly energy bill. If you want to reduce your energy bill, here are eight HVAC tips you should try.

1. Change Your Air Filter

Your air filter removes contaminants from the air that comes through your HVAC system, which means it eventually gets clogged up with dirt, dust, and other contaminants. When your air filter gets clogged, it restricts airflow. Most HVAC professionals recommend changing your air filter at least once every six months, although most homeowners should stick to a three-month schedule. If you have pets, children, or an especially dusty house, you might want to change your air filter once a month to prevent airflow problems.

2. Buy a Programmable Thermostat

If you're leaving your thermostat on to keep your home at a comfortable temperature while you're at work, you're wasting money. Programmable thermostats allow you to set a schedule for your HVAC system. You can even set your programmable thermostat to start heating or cooling your home while you're on your way home from work.

3. Buy a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat is another great investment, especially during a new air conditioning install. Smart thermostats allow you to connect to your thermostat from your smartphone, so you can change the temperature or turn your HVAC system off even when you're not at home. While programmable thermostats are a great set-and-forget option, smart thermostats are nice because you always have access to your HVAC system.

4. Use Window Treatments

A new air conditioning install is fairly expensive, but installing curtains and blinds around your house is a significantly cheaper alternative. Blinds and curtains can actually provide essential insulation that helps you reduce heating and cooling costs. Blackout blinds and curtains are even better. If you have any bare windows in your home, make sure you get them covered with window treatments.

5. Go Easy on Heating and Cooling

It can be tempting to crank your thermostat way up or way down to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, but it's easy to go too far. When we do a new air conditioning install, we recommend setting your thermostat to about 68 degrees year-round. Even a small change in temperature can help you save a significant amount on your monthly energy bill.

6. Insulate Your Home

Insulation is key when it comes to maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures but so many homes are poorly insulated. If you have a tough time keeping your home at a comfortable temperature during the summer or winter, consider upgrading your insulation. Many older homes lack insulation and fiberglass insulation can start to fall apart after just a few decades. At the very least, you should have an expert perform an energy audit if you're spending an abnormal amount on heating and cooling.

7. Schedule Routine Maintenance

The best way to avoid having to pay higher energy bills is to take good care of the HVAC system you already have. As hard as it might be to spend your hard-earned money on HVAC maintenance, you should always schedule seasonal maintenance. According to HomeAdvisor, you should have your HVAC system maintained twice a year to prevent problems and reduce energy costs.

8. Consider a New Air Conditioning Install

If you're really having a hard time lowering your energy bill, there's a chance it might be time for a new AC or furnace. A new air conditioning installation is one of the more expensive ways to reduce cooling costs, but it's also an extremely effective tactic. Newer furnaces and air conditioners are much more efficient, so you can maintain comfortable indoor temperatures without spending a fortune on heating and cooling.

Your monthly energy bill might be a little expensive, but it shouldn't cost you several hundred dollars to heat or cool your home each month. If your energy bill has been abnormally high lately, it might be time for a new air conditioning install. If you need help reducing your energy bill, call Viglione Heating & Cooling to schedule an inspection and maintenance today.