September may be here, but summer certainly hasn’t left West Tennessee. With temperatures still reaching into the 90s, air conditioners across the area are continuing to work hard to keep homes comfortable. If you’ve opened your latest electric bill and wondered why it seems unusually high, your HVAC system may be part of the answer. Heating and cooling account for a significant portion of a typical home’s energy use, so changes in how long or how efficiently your air conditioner runs can noticeably affect your utility bill. A higher bill during extremely hot weather doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong with your air conditioner. But there are a few things worth checking.
Start with Your Air Filter
One of the simplest things homeowners can do is check the HVAC filter. A dirty filter restricts airflow and makes your system work harder to keep your home comfortable. ENERGY STAR recommends checking the filter monthly, particularly during periods of heavy use, and changing it when it becomes dirty.
The correct replacement schedule can vary depending on the type of filter, your home, pets, and other factors, but checking it regularly is an easy place to start.
Your Outdoor Unit Needs Attention Too
Your air conditioner doesn’t create cold air as much as it removes heat from inside your home and transfers that heat outdoors. That’s why the condition of your outdoor unit matters. Leaves, grass clippings and other debris around the outdoor unit can interfere with proper operation.
The condenser coil itself also needs to stay clean. According to ENERGY STAR, dirty evaporator or condenser coils can reduce a system’s ability to cool the home, causing it to run longer and increasing energy costs. Homeowners can help by keeping the area around the outdoor unit clear. Cleaning and servicing the equipment itself is better left to a qualified HVAC professional.
The Problem May Not Be Your Air Conditioner
Your ductwork can also contribute to higher energy costs. ENERGY STAR reports that in a typical home with a forced-air system, 20% to 30% of the air moving through the duct system can be lost through leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts.
That can be particularly important when ductwork runs through an attic, crawlspace, garage or other unconditioned space. Your HVAC equipment may be doing its job, but some of the conditioned air may never reach the rooms where you need it.
Airflow and Refrigerant Matter
Proper airflow is critical to HVAC performance. ENERGY STAR notes that airflow problems can reduce system efficiency and contribute to higher utility bills and reduced comfort. The correct refrigerant charge is important as well. Too much or too little refrigerant can reduce efficiency and increase operating costs.
These aren’t typically homeowner adjustments. If your system runs excessively, struggles to maintain temperature or isn’t cooling like it normally does, it may be time to have it professionally evaluated.
Does a High Electric Bill Mean You Need a New HVAC System?
Not necessarily. An older system shouldn’t automatically be replaced just because of one high utility bill. Problems with ductwork, airflow, maintenance or other parts of the home can sometimes be the real source of higher energy use.
However, if your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, needs frequent repairs, has difficulty keeping your home comfortable or your energy bills continue to rise, ENERGY STAR recommends having the system evaluated by a professional. The right answer might be maintenance or a repair. In other situations, replacing older equipment with a properly sized, higher-efficiency system may make more sense.
At Quality Sheet Metal, we believe the first step is determining what’s actually causing the problem. If your air conditioner seems to be working overtime, your home isn’t staying comfortable, or your electric bill has you wondering whether something is wrong, give Quality Sheet Metal a call. We’ll be glad to take a look, explain what we find and help you understand your options.