Why Is My Electric Bill So High in the Summer? 5 Common Reasons
High utility bills are usually associated with the cold winter months, but summer can bring rising costs as well. This season has a way of putting you in a frustrating spot, especially when the bills exceed your planned budget. It leaves many people wondering, why is my electric bill so high in the summer?
High summer energy bills often stem from increased cooling needs, more indoor activity, and poor insulation. Our guide will dive into five common reasons you’re spending too much money and provide practical solutions.
Florida Home Air Conditioning is a heating and cooling service provider that helps locals stay cool while keeping energy bills low. If you think your cooling system is struggling to keep up with the demands of the summer months, our friendly team is only a call away.
5 Reasons Why Electric Bills Increase in Summer
Good news: An electric bill that’s high in the summer almost always stems from one (or more) of these reasons. Try troubleshooting to see which one fits, and then we’ll explore what you can do about it.
1. Longer AC Run Times
The simplest explanation for a high energy bill is relying on your cooling system more often. Florida summertime temperatures often exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so the trade-off for comfort is a higher bill.
You can use your air conditioning for shorter times, turning to other methods to stay cool. Try using fans, drinking cold water, or keeping the blinds closed all day to reduce solar heat gain.
2. Increased Indoor Activity
Another reason why your bills are higher is that you’re spending more time inside. If you’re not at the pool or hanging out in another cool building, it makes sense to spend more time in the comfort of your own home.
While you shouldn’t be expected to go outside into the hot weather if you don’t want to, changing your lifestyle habits can still make a difference. For example, try to avoid using heat-generating appliances. Turning on the stovetop or using the oven creates more heat in the home, putting even more strain on your air conditioning.
3. Poor Insulation
Your cooling system may be fighting against structural elements that struggle to keep cold air inside. Cracks in the floorboards, doors, windows, and ductwork all leak cooled air (and your hard-earned money) back outside.
There are many ways to improve your home's insulation. One example is adding weatherstrips to your windows or beneath your doors to block drafts. You can also hire a professional to patch up leaky air ducts.
4. Appliances Working Harder
Humans aren’t the only ones who have to work a little harder in the muggy, sweltering weather. Your cooling system’s internal components run hotter and drier, increasing the risk of poor performance or shutdown. You can reduce the strain on your cooling system by using alternatives to keep air moving, like desk or ceiling fans.
5. Aging System
If your system is getting a little old, summer is usually when it will start showing its age. Older systems may have low refrigerant levels or damaged components, resulting in declining performance or weak airflow.
If you have an aging system and want to know your options, we can help. Our air conditioning services cover general repair, maintenance, and energy-efficient replacements.
Thermostat Settings and Summer Energy Use
When your AC unit is using up too much electricity, the thermostat is often the first thing to check. The ENERGY STAR thermostat recommendation is 78 degrees Fahrenheit to keep bills under control.
A smart thermostat is a valuable addition to any home, as it takes some of the effort of scheduling off your plate. These units include features like automatic scheduling, zoned cooling, and energy usage updates. They can even adjust your home’s temperature when nobody is home.
How Air Conditioning Impacts Energy Use
Now that you have an idea of why your electric bill is so high in the summer, let’s look at how your cooling system affects energy usage. For starters, an AC unit uses a lot of electricity to pull in warm air and cool it down.
Today’s manufacturers build energy-efficient cooling systems to balance electricity usage and output. If your home has an older system with a low SEER2 rating or one that isn’t ENERGY STAR-certified, you’re going to get higher bills paired with weak performance.
Older systems may have lower refrigerant levels, the chemical responsible for turning warm air cool. If you don’t keep up with yearly maintenance, your system is also more likely to have a dirty filter or clogged condenser coils that also affect airflow. Over time, an old and poorly maintained system has to work harder, often resulting in the high bills you see in the summer.
When to Have Your AC or HVAC System Inspected
A higher electric bill in the summer compared to spring or fall isn’t unusual. But if your bill is extremely high, give us a call to perform an inspection. Your system might have some deeper problems beneath the surface that could cause even more issues down the line.
If you notice any of these areas of concern, it’s time to bring in an HVAC professional:
Weak airflow or no airflow
Rooms cool unevenly
Cooling system runs constantly
System shuts down out of nowhere
Do you need help understanding how to reduce your electric bill during the summer? Alongside home fixes like weatherstripping or using fewer heat-generating appliances, we recommend yearly maintenance to monitor your system's performance and address small issues before they become big ones.
Schedule a Maintenance Appointment With Florida Home
As a local HVAC company, we understand Florida’s hot, humid climate. When your cooling system can’t keep up, our experienced team can provide the solution you need to maintain a consistent temperature without spending a fortune on bills.
Annual maintenance is a great way to ensure your cooling system can perform at its best. We can replace dirty air filters, clean dusty coils, inspect electrical wiring, and run tests to ensure you’re getting the most value for your dollar.
Find us serving homeowners in the greater Duval County area with perks like:
Financing options to split up services into multiple payments
Special deals to help you budget for HVAC upgrades
Exceptional Service Guarantee to give you peace of mind
Stay cool while keeping your energy bills low all summer long. Schedule an appointment online to take advantage of our latest specials on cooling system services.