As we head into fall in North Carolina, the days grow shorter and the nights chillier. It’s the perfect time to start thinking about how your HVAC system can work smarter—not harder—to keep you comfortable without sending your energy bills through the roof. At Duncan Heating & Air Conditioning, we’re always looking for ways to help our customers get more from their systems. Here are practical tips you can use right now to reduce your heating (and cooling) costs this season. 1. Leverage Natural Heat: Use the Sun Strategically Take advantage of sunny days: open curtains or blinds on south- and west-facing windows during daylight hours. This passive solar gain can help warm your home without turning on the heat. Then, as evening arrives, close them to retain the warmth. 2. Adjust Your Thermostat a Few Degrees Every degree matters. Lowering your thermostat by just 1–2 °F during cooler days (or raising it slightly when heating is in use) can yield noticeable energy savings. Use setback settings for when you’re asleep or away from home. A programmable or smart thermostat makes this easy. 3. Seal Drafts & Insulate Strategically Even a well-functioning HVAC system struggles if your home leaks air. Walk around your doors, windows, and baseboards looking for drafts. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal gaps. Also, check attic and crawlspace insulation—adding a bit more insulation where needed is a relatively low-cost upgrade with long-term payoff. 4. Zone Wisely & Close Rooms You Don’t Use If your home has multiple zones or dampers, reduce conditioning in unused areas. Shut vents in guest rooms, basements, or storage spaces to focus heated air where it matters most. Just be careful not to close too many vents at once (which can affect system pressure). 5. Clean & Schedule Maintenance Now, Before Heating Demand Ramps Up Replace your air filters (if you haven’t recently). Clear debris from around your outdoor unit (if you have a heat pump) so airflow isn’t blocked. Make sure vents, registers, and returns are unobstructed by furniture or rugs. Schedule a professional tune-up: checking electrical, gas connections, combustion (if applicable), duct leaks, and system calibration can reveal small issues before they turn into costly repairs. 6. Use Ceiling Fans & Air Circulation to Your Advantage Many people think ceiling fans only help in summer—but they’re useful in fall too. Switch your fan’s direction to clockwise (low speed) to gently push warm air downward. This helps mix the air and can reduce the need to bump up the thermostat. 7. Monitor HVAC Performance & Watch for Inefficiencies Keep an eye on your energy bills, listen for odd noises, notice uneven heating, or detect higher humidity. If something seems off, call a technician to audit your system. Sometimes a minor adjustment or calibration can restore efficiency. Fall is a transition season—not quite cold, but cooler enough that the habits you set now can make a big difference in comfort and cost. With small changes like smarter thermostat use, sealing drafts, and proactive maintenance, your HVAC system can deliver the comfort you need without wasting energy. If you'd like professional help tuning your system or finding tailored energy-saving upgrades, Duncan Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a fall performance check or ask about economical ways to make your heating system more efficient.

September may signal the start of fall, but in Statesville and across North Carolina, we all know the summer heat doesn’t just disappear overnight. Many homeowners still find themselves running the air conditioner well into September, which can keep energy bills higher than expected. The good news? A few simple adjustments can help you stay comfortable while keeping costs under control. At Duncan Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ve put together some practical tips to help lower your energy bills as summer lingers on. 1. Adjust Your Thermostat Settings A small change goes a long way. Setting your thermostat just a few degrees higher can make a noticeable difference in your energy use. For example, aiming for 76–78°F when you’re home and 80–82°F when you’re away helps reduce the strain on your system without sacrificing comfort. 2. Use Ceiling Fans to Your Advantage Ceiling fans don’t cool the air, but they circulate it so you feel cooler. This means you can raise your thermostat a degree or two without noticing much difference. Just remember to turn fans off when you leave a room—they only work when you’re there. 3. Keep Up with Filter Changes A dirty air filter makes your HVAC system work harder than it needs to. Replace filters every 30–60 days during heavy use. This not only saves energy but also improves indoor air quality for your family. 4. Seal Air Leaks and Improve Insulation Warm air sneaking in through cracks around windows, doors, or ductwork forces your AC to run longer. A quick weekend project—like adding weatherstripping or sealing duct joints—can make your home more efficient and lower energy bills. 5. Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up Preventative maintenance is one of the smartest ways to save money. A professional tune-up ensures your system is running at peak efficiency, identifies small issues before they become big repairs, and helps extend the life of your unit. 6. Take Advantage of Cooler Nights When evening temperatures drop, consider turning off your AC and opening the windows. Using natural ventilation, even for a few hours, can reduce your cooling costs significantly. Stay Comfortable, Spend Less As summer stretches into September, keeping your energy bills in check doesn’t have to mean giving up comfort. With these small steps—and the help of a trusted HVAC partner—you can stay cool and save money. At Duncan Heating & Air Conditioning, we’re here to help homeowners in Statesville and the surrounding area get the most out of their HVAC systems. Whether you need maintenance, repairs, or advice on improving efficiency, our team is just a phone call away. 👉 Contact us today to schedule your late-summer HVAC service and start saving on energy costs.