The Reason why You’re Getting Sky-high Electricity Bills

Your recent electricity bill might have caught you by surprise. You might be wondering whether the cost of electricity has increased or has your household consumption.

If you haven’t added any major appliances to the house like a cooler, a microwave oven, or a bigger dishwasher, there might be something obvious that would not have caught your attention.

HVAC System Performance

If you haven’t heard before, HVAC systems or air conditioning units are designed to achieve the temperature required. So, whatever temperature you set, the HVAC system will work to achieve that.

However, if the HVAC system has leaks, is low in refrigerant, or is not well-maintained, it might be pulling a lot of electricity to attain the specified temperature.

Here is a detail of all the factors that impact HVAC performance and its electricity consumption:

·         Duct Leaks

Your mind probably would never go to faulty ductwork being the cause of high electricity bills, but it could be the cause for excessive electricity usage.

Because the ducts are responsible for carrying the cool air to all areas of the house, if there is a leak, it impacts the efficiency of the system, much like a liquid contained with a small hole that can never be filled to capacity.

Cracks that haven’t been sealed, or spaces that are not insulated also add to the duct leaking factor.

·         Dirty Air Filters

If your air filters are dirty, the HVAC system needs to work extra hard to get to the set temperature. Filters should be replaced every three months to make sure that the HVAC system performance does not decline.

The added strain on the HVAC system also causes wear and tear which then calls for frequent repair services.

·         Inefficient HVAC System

All appliances have a life. If they have performed to its capacity, the wear and tear and failing parts of the system also pull more electricity. As a result, it causes high electricity bills.

If your HVAC system is older than 15 years, you might consider replacing it completely or replacing the parts that are failing.

·         Low Refrigerant

If the HVAC system is low on refrigerant, the system will pull more electricity to make use of the limited refrigerant available because it is designed to achieve the temperature you specify on the thermostat.

·         Lack of Maintenance

Another cause of high electricity bills is lack of maintenance of the HVAC system. You should call on air duct repair and maintenance services from time to time to make sure that the system is up to the mark.

Also, if your ductwork and vents are lined with dust and dust bunnies, the HVAC system needs to perform harder. In this case, professional air duct cleaning services are the only solution.

The cost of the professional services like ones many avail from 4seasonsairduct is nothing compared to the electricity costs or the cost of replacing the HVAC system completely because of overheating and damage from the added strain.  

Final Words

An unexplained increase in electricity bills might be frustrating. But in many cases, the HVAC system is responsible for the hike and you should call for professional services to fix the issues as soon as possible.

Unless it is fixed, the HVAC system is also at a risk of more wear and tear. Therefore it is recommended that you address the issue at the first opportunity.

Author Bio:

Kamil Riaz Kara is an SEO Specialist by profession and a Vlogger by hobby and associated with Digital Marketing since 2015. Presently working at GrowthMarketers.ca, a digital marketing agency in Canada. Connect with him on LinkedIn for more details.