AC Problems That Cause High Utility Bills

An air conditioner is among the most valuable appliances for Texas homeowners, especially during the hot and humid summers. Although your utility bills increase during summer due to continual AC use, a drastic increase for no reason signifies something is wrong. Learn why your utility bills may have skyrocketed if your AC has become too expensive to operate.

Leaky Ducts

Your ducts distribute cooled air throughout your home. When they leak, most of the cooled air escapes before it can get to your entire home. In fact, leaks and holes in the duct system account for 20-30 percent of cooled air loss. Consequently, your AC works harder and longer to attain the desired temperature.

When you notice high utility bills together with uneven cooling in your home, high dust levels, and recurrent AC repairs, contact an HVAC professional to check and fix duct leaks. Keep in mind that ducts located in the crawl space or attic have a high probability of leaks.

Poor Workmanship

A common reason for high AC costs is poor installation. For instance, your contractor may have installed an AC that's the wrong size for your house. A small AC may strain and use more energy to cool your home. On the other hand, an oversized AC is too powerful and short cycles, resulting in more energy consumption. In both scenarios, your energy bills skyrocket, and your unit wears out faster.

An Outdated AC

An old AC is costly in two ways; it spikes your utility bills and may require recurrent and expensive repairs. Typically, old ACs have lower SEER ratings - below 10 , which means they use more energy to cool your home. Also, after years of use, ACs tend to decrease in efficiency and increase energy consumption.

Opting for a new and modern AC with a high SEER rating can significantly reduce energy bills. Also, you enjoy a longer unit lifespan, increased indoor comfort, and numerous innovative features such as smart connectivity, zoning, and a programmable thermostat.

Dirty Filters

After continual use, your AC's filters become clogged with dirt that restricts normal airflow. Subsequently, your unit takes longer to cool your home and achieve the set temperature, leading to increased energy use.

Depending on the manufacturer's recommendation, change or clean your filters as needed. While some AC's require changing the filter monthly, others require filter replacement every three months. According to Energy.gov, replacing a dirty filter can reduce AC energy consumption by 5-15 percent, resulting in lower energy bills.

Faulty Thermostat

The thermostat is your AC's brain and determines when the unit turns on, how long it runs, and the temperature to which it should cool your home. When the thermostat is faulty, it does not communicate these instructions to your AC. As a result, the AC may not get the right cues on when to turn on or off, which can cause bills to skyrocket. Luckily, repairing or replacing a faulty thermostat restores its function while saving you money.

Leaking Refrigerant

Among the most common AC problems is a leaking refrigerant. Apart from increasing energy bills, a refrigerant leak causes poor airflow, and your AC fails to generate cool air. Also, the unit runs longer cycles to attain the desired temperature.

A refrigerant-related issue should never be a DIY task. A trained HVAC professional should handle it for safety purposes and to prevent damage. In case of a refrigerant leak, the professional first fixes the leak before they recharge the refrigerant.

Ignoring Maintenance

Scheduling regular maintenance goes a long way in preserving your unit's functionality while reducing utility bills. An AC technician examines your unit to detect any problems and ensure optimal performance. They may recommend that you seal your ducts, change the filter, or install a programmable thermostat to increase AC efficiency and prevent breakdown.

If your AC bills have skyrocketed for no apparent reason, contact Henry's Service All. We can do an AC checkup to identify the issue and solve it. We also install new energy-efficient ACs to enhance your savings further.