4 Common Causes of High Utility Bills and How to Avoid Them

Large power bills for your Forest Acres, South Carolina, home can cost you hundreds of dollars extra per year. This inconvenient issue could be a sign that your HVAC system isn’t working as efficiently as it should. Common causes of high utility bills include a dirty air filter, a malfunctioning thermostat, leaks in your insulation and lack of maintenance.

A Dirty Air Filter

If your HVAC system’s air filter is dirty or clogged, reduced airflow will force you to use your heater or air conditioner more. Contaminants spread by the filter cause wear and tear on essential components and shorten your system’s life. They can also harm your indoor air quality and cause asthma or allergy symptoms or bad smells. You should change your air filter at least every few months to prevent clogs.

A Malfunctioning Thermostat

If your thermostat is in the incorrect place, it won’t be able to measure your home’s temperature accurately. Your HVAC system might stay on for too long or stop working too soon. To avoid this, keep your thermostat away from outer walls or sunny areas. Bad wiring or a broken thermometer could also waste energy and keep your family from staying comfortable.

Have your thermostat checked by a professional and moved or repaired if needed. You can save even more energy by upgrading to a programmable thermostat. These models turn your HVAC system down when you’re asleep or away to save energy.

Lack of Maintenance

If you aren’t keeping up with regular maintenance, then that can have a negative impact on your utility bills. An inefficient air conditioner will work harder to meet the thermostat’s set temperature, which can result in high energy bills. You should schedule air conditioning maintenance at least once a year during the spring to avoid expensive monthly utility bills.

Leaks in Your Insulation

Leaks in your insulation waste energy by letting conditioned air escape from your home. An upgrade can be costly, but lower utility bills will make your investment worth it. You can also make smaller improvements like adding weather stripping underneath doors and windows or placing caulk around electrical outlets.

Krantz Kooling and Heating is a Trane Comfort Specialist with decades of heating and cooling experience. We can help you lower your utility bills without sacrificing your comfort. Call us for more information about saving energy and all your other HVAC needs.

Originally published in September 2018, updated in May 2020

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