Common Reasons for High Energy Bills

There are certain things in life we can’t control: cost of living in certain cities, the stock market, who will win the Super Bowl?

However, there are others where you have a say on how they’ll turn out, such as: what are you having for dinner tonight, whether you’ll paint your house today or tomorrow, and deciding to make an effort to lower your energy bills.

That last one is something that would benefit most people. So in the spirit of making your life easier, we’ve made a list of the most common reasons why your energy bill is so high and what you can do about it.

1. You Have Old School Light Bulbs

Energy efficient light bulbs can save up to 80% of energy when compared with traditional light bulbs. Depending on how big your home is, that can translate to substantial savings.

2. Your Air Filters Are Dirty

Dirty air filters block air flow. This causes your AC to work harder (which brings your utility bill up) while not really achieving much of an improvement when it comes to cooling your home. Change those filters every month. Set a reminder on your phone if you have to.

3. You May Need HVAC Maintenance

Cleaning your air filters is a good starting point, but your heating and ventilation systems (and your furnace) have plenty of parts that need to be replaced or serviced every so often. Basic AC maintenance will make your systems last longer and save you money every month.

4. You’re Not Running Your Appliances Efficiently

Clean the lint filters in your dryer. Set the water temperature to either cold or warm in your washer. Get a programmable thermostat so that you can adjust your home’s temperature when you’re away. Use power strips to plug in your electronics. These will help reduce wasted electricity when the devices are not in use.

5. You Might Have to Replace Your Appliances

When did you get your dishwasher? How about your dryer? If you got them when your firstborn was a baby and now he’s off to college, chances are there are plenty of more modern models that use energy more efficiently.

6. You May Need Additional Insulation

Your AC and heating unit can account for up to 70% of the energy use in your home. Some insulation materials have better thermal resistance than others. Some homes have poor insulation or insulation gaps that cause their AC or heating systems to work harder than they should have to. Installing additional insulation may fix this issue and lower your electric bill.

7. You May Need an Energy Audit

If you believe you’ve done everything in your power to improve the energy consumption at your home, but your bills haven’t gone down, you may need an energy audit. Have a professional evaluate what are the biggest culprits for consuming energy in your home and adjust accordingly. This could save you up to 30% of your energy bill.

Call Professionals for Help

If you’d like experienced HVAC professionals to come evaluate your home or business, we’d love to help.

Schedule a service call online. Your checking account will appreciate it.