If your power bills are eating into your budget, there's a lot you can do — and most of the high-impact moves don't require buying new equipment. Here are the best moves, ranked by ROI.
Free or Near-Free
Replace the Air Filter
A clogged filter restricts airflow, makes your system work harder, and costs you money every month. Replace yours every 30–90 days.
Set the Thermostat Smarter
Every degree you raise the cooling setpoint or lower the heating setpoint saves about 1–3% on energy. A 7–10°F setback for 8 hours a day saves around 10% per year. Smart thermostats automate this.
Use Ceiling Fans
Fans don't change room temperature, but they make you feel cooler — letting you raise the AC setpoint by 2–4°F with no comfort penalty.
Close the Blinds in Direct Sun
Direct sun through windows can add the equivalent of a small space heater to a room. Close blinds, drapes, or solar shades on west-facing windows during summer afternoons.
Cheap Upgrades
Smart Thermostat
$150–$250 installed. Saves 10–20% on bills. Payback usually under 18 months. Install it.
Weatherstripping and Caulking
Air leaks around doors, windows, and outlets are pulling money out of your wallet every month. Pick up a tube of caulk and a roll of weatherstripping — a Saturday afternoon will tighten the whole house.
Insulate Your Attic
Most older homes are under-insulated up top. Adding blown-in cellulose or fiberglass to bring the attic up to R-49 is one of the best dollar-per-energy-saved moves you can make. Often qualifies for utility rebates.
Bigger Investments Worth Considering
Schedule Twice-Yearly HVAC Tune-Ups
$80–$150 per visit. Keeps your equipment running near peak efficiency, catches small problems early, and protects your manufacturer warranty. Easy ROI.
Seal Your Ductwork
If your ducts run through an unconditioned attic or crawl space, leaky joints can be costing you 20–30% of your conditioned air. Professional duct sealing or Aeroseal-style treatments can pay back in 2–4 years.
Replace 12+ Year-Old Equipment
Modern 16+ SEER2 equipment uses 30–50% less energy than 14 SEER (or older 10 SEER) equipment. If you're getting close to replacement anyway, the energy savings are real.
What Not to Bother With
- Closing vents in unused rooms (modern systems aren't designed for it; can damage equipment)
- Window AC units to avoid running central air (usually less efficient per BTU)
- Heat pump 'cold-climate' models for OKC (overkill — standard models handle our winters fine)
Stack the free habits first, add the cheap upgrades, and consider the bigger investments only when they make sense for your situation. Combined, they can knock 20–40% off your annual heating and cooling bills.
Need HVAC help in the OKC metro?
Same-day service, 24/7 emergency dispatch, and honest written quotes — that's how Advantage runs.