5 Reasons Why Your Electric Bills are So HighPosted: 2018-08-16
| Summer is a time when many areas have a high demand for energy, which results in higher costs. People tend to use more electricity in the summer. The higher the temperature is on the outside, the more we stay inside where we can have the air conditioning turned on and be comfortably cool. Having said that, being comfortable doesn’t come cheap. Four Seasons Air Specialists is your trusted HVAC company in White Bear Lake MN that can help maintain your air conditioner, which can significantly reduce your electricity bills. Here are some of the most common reasons why there is a constant spike in your monthly power bills. Poor Insulation The Department of Energy estimates that your HVAC equipment is responsible for about 43 percent of your utility bills. July and August are usually the hottest months of the year. The larger the difference between the temperature outside and the temperature inside, the harder your air conditioner works to meet your cooling demands. In many homes, insulation is the most practical and cost-effective way to make a house more energy-efficient. If your house has poor insulation, some of the cool air coming from your vents will escape elsewhere, wasting energy in the process. Ask your local HVAC company to assess and make improvements to your home’s insulation. If your home is properly insulated, you can keep it cooler in summer and warmer in winter, which can save up to 80 percent in heating and cooling losses. Also, proper insulation can reduce the condensation in your home, avoiding the development of mold and mildew. Not only does it help lower your bills, it also aids in keeping your family healthy. Clogged Air Filter Your air filter is responsible for making your air conditioner and ductwork clean. If they are not regularly cleaned or replaced, dust and debris will accumulate at some point. When this happens, the airflow within the system will be compromised, which causes your AC to take longer to cool your home. As a result, the increased run times can cause a spike in your electricity bills because of overheating motors and compressors. You can do yourself a favor by cleaning off or replacing your filter once every 30 days. Taking care of your filter is the easiest way you can do to prevent high utility bills. Leaky Ducts Proper airflow is essential to keeping your air conditioner in tip-top shape. Cooled air can easily escape through the leaks in your ducts, causing your air conditioner to run longer to match your thermostat setting, which results in higher energy costs. Leaky ducts also clog your filter at a much faster rate than when you have healthy ducts. All that extra dust and dirt will quickly accumulate in your filter, which requires you to change it more frequently than normal. In addition to making sure you have good insulation, consider checking your ducts for leaks, disconnects, and holes. Have a professional check it for you to improve your system’s overall efficiency. Old Equipment If you’re using appliances past their prime, you shouldn’t be shocked to have high energy costs. Old appliances, especially HVAC equipment, use more energy to operate compared to new, energy-efficient models. If you have appliances that were made in the 1990’s, chances are, they are to blame for all those high utility bills. Did you know that Energy Star didn’t begin rating appliances until 1997? The solution is to upgrade your equipment. Though it may involve a considerable upfront cost, new appliances will ensure you’ll have much lower electricity bills. Low Refrigerant Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to transfer heat and remove it from the home. If your system is low on refrigerant, your system will have a hard time doing its job. It will have to work harder to satisfy your cooling needs. The reason why your AC is low in refrigerant is most likely a leak, which can happen in the coils and lines that transfer the refrigerant. This is something only a professional should handle, so call your trusted HVAC guy. Ask the Experts To keep your AC in great shape, have it professionally maintained by our technicians at Four Seasons Air Specialists. We have over 40 years of solid experience and can ensure your air conditioner won’t cause you to have a headache when your electric bill arrives. We are your preferred Mahtomedi AC repair contractor who will be there when you need us. |