There’s so much to love about summer: sunshine, Vitamin D, and summer activities, among others. However, this season also presents some undesirable things such as hot climate, too much humidity, and exorbitantly high electricity bills.
But it’s good to know the factors that can affect electricity costs, which can help you understand and to know what to expect each time you receive your monthly bill. The main factors include:
- Fuel costs for power plants that use electricity generators
- Power plant construction, maintenance, and operational costs
- Costs of transmitting and distributing electricity
- Weather conditions.
Electricity costs usually go up in the summer when total demands are high. This increase happens because more expensive generation sources are added to meet the attached need. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, residential customers pay more for electricity because it costs more to deliver the power to them.
That said, there are still other reasons why your energy costs are so high, regardless of the season.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted HVAC company in Blaine MN and partner in creating an energy-efficient home.
Consider these reasons.
More People, More Power Needed
Since the weather naturally gets hotter in summer, people tend to stay at home more to remain comfy. It means that you’d have to run your AC even more while other devices and appliances are running at the same time.
Since kids stay at home for the summer, not only does it mean more people need cold air, but there are also more people leaving the lights on, watching TV, charging their electronic devices, and similar activities. All of the hustle and bustle in the house, in addition to constant AC use, can significantly increase your electricity bill.
Poor HVAC Maintenance
According to research, HVAC systems that do not receive regular maintenance experience a decline in efficiency by as much as 15 to 20 percent. The filter is one of the most manageable AC parts, but many homeowners neglect to keep their screens fresh. This part of your AC is responsible for keeping your air conditioner, ducts, and indoor coils clean. When ignored, a clogged filter becomes unable to perform its task, and instead of cleaning the air, it compromises it. When there’s insufficient airflow, it will take the AC longer to cool your home, using more energy. This also puts the entire system at risk as a dirty filter causes strain on the motors and compressor.
The most basic maintenance step you can take is to clean your filter at least once in a month, which will give your system enough room to breathe and avoid suffocation. Not only does it help keep your electricity costs to a minimum, but it also aids in extending the life of your cooling system.
Direct Sunlight
In an attempt to minimize the use of lights, many homeowners allow direct sunlight to come into their windows. While this is indeed a terrific way to give your lightbulbs some rest, it also allows extra heat into the home, causing you to crank up the thermostat.
If you need natural light, it’s okay to leave the blinds and curtains open. But don’t leave them open when there’s no one there to take advantage of the ambient light coming from outside.
A Declining AC
Running an old AC offers several issues, one of which is decreasing energy efficiency. If your existing air conditioner is about ten years old or so, it’s possible that it no longer has the power to cool your home effectively. It’s SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating) probably does not even meet today’s standards. An AC that runs with aging parts consumes more energy and often suffers from breakdowns. If you’re stuck with an old cooling system, you may have to replace it much sooner than later.
Need Help? Call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
Some of the tips we offer in this article are do-it-yourself suggestions. But if you want to ensure your air conditioner stays at peak performance, reach out to us. Other steps require specialized tools and equipment to carry out. We have everything you need to maximize your cooling system’s efficiency. All you have to do is ask. We are your friendly Columbia Heights AC maintenance company.