There’s nothing that goes hand in hand in South Florida like high electric bills and air conditioners. It seems as though the price of staying comfortable in the sizzling summer months is extremely high. Thankfully, this doesn’t need to be the case, as there are several reasons why your electric bills are this way, all of which can be prevented with a little help from the experts.
So, here are the top ten reasons why your AC is sucking the life out of your bank account.
1) You Haven’t Had Your Ducts Cleaned
If your Florida home’s air ducts are dirty, then all of the cold air might not be getting through them into the rooms of your home. This can lead to an air conditioner that runs harder than normal in an attempt to get the air to the temperature that you desire. The harder your AC unit runs, the more electricity it will use. The best solution here is to have your air ducts cleaned on a yearly or six-month basis, especially if you have pets.
2) Your Air Filter is Clogged
Speaking of things that can become clogged and dirty, you also need to change your HVAC unit’s air filter regularly. This can be anything from every other month to once a month or more if you have pets and allergies. Like the ducts, a dirty air filter requires more air to get forced through it before it can filter throughout your house. The more material that clogs it, the worse it will get. You’d be surprised at the difference a clean air filter can make. And even better, this is usually something that you can manage on your own.
3) Your AC Needs Maintenance
Like everything else, your air conditioner needs to be properly maintained. Every year, before the weather starts to warm up, you need to have someone come out to thoroughly inspect your HVAC system and perform any needed AC repairs or maintenance. This will keep it in excellent condition, thus lowering your electric bills. In addition, it will extend the life of your air conditioner, since properly maintained units tend to last longer.
4) Your System Doesn’t Have Enough Coolant
Did you know your air conditioner needs coolant in order to run properly? Called Freon, this chemical is what runs through the system and cools down the air. When the system doesn’t have enough coolant, it can run unevenly, burning through more electricity in an attempt to keep your house at the desired temperature. Thankfully, in most cases your air conditioner’s coolant can be recharged, ensuring that it runs in the best possible condition.
5) Your System Wasn’t Installed Correctly
If you’ve recently had a new HVAC system installed and are still receiving high energy bills, then your system might not have been installed properly. An incorrect installation can lead to leaky ducts, an improper amount of coolant, or even an entire air conditioner that doesn’t run smoothly. If this seems to be the case, it’s time to get the experts involved so that they can fix the problem.
6) You Have a Leak in Your Ducts
Not only can the air ducts in your home become clogged, but they can also leak. Simple time and usage can cause leaks to form. Clogs can lead to leaks as well, especially if they’re bad ones that force the air outwards instead of through the system. Leaky ducts prevent the AC unit from running smoothly, forcing it to work harder to keep your home cool enough. If you think that your AC issues are due to leaky ducts, contact a professional to have your system assessed. You’d be surprised at the difference it will make.
7) Your System Is Running with Damaged Parts
Properly maintaining your Pompano Beach AC system means updating certain parts when they wear out. Your HVAC system is like a car, only attached to your home. This means that when engine parts start to wear out and run less efficiently, they cause your AC system to run a little harder than usual. You notice the problem when your car starts to use extra gas, driving down your average mileage. With your AC unit, you notice when your electric bills go up.
8) Your AC is Really Old
How old is your air conditioner? Newer models are designed using Energy Star requirements, so they use less power. Older models aren’t, so they might use up more electricity in order to run. Plus, these older models are more prone to damage, leaks, and coolant issues, making them more costly to run overall. The best solution to this problem is to have a new AC unit installed. It will pay for itself over time as your energy bills gradually decrease.
9) Your House Isn’t Properly Insulated
Does your house have enough insulation? If not, all of that cold air could be leaking out right through the roof and walls. In order to compensate for this, your air conditioner will run more, using up more electricity. While the walls and foundation of your home, especially if you have a finished basement, tend to have enough insulation when they’re built, some construction companies skimp on attic insulation. Going through and getting this part of your house properly insulated can make a significant difference.
10) You Have the Temperature Set Too Low
Sure, you want to be cool in the summer so walking into your home after spending time in the hot outdoors gives you that instant refreshing feeling. However, placing the thermostat on too low of a temperature setting will make your air conditioner continuously run, leaving you with higher electric bills. The best compromise is somewhere in the middle, as far as temperature is concerned.
Do You Need to Have Your AC Unit Maintained?
If you’re worried about having high energy bills and think that your AC unit falls into one of the categories on this list, then it’s time to get it looked at. Call Natal Air Conditioning Services in Pompano Beach today at (954) 788-0099 to make an appointment with our experts. We’ll keep you happy and cool all year long!
