Why does opening your electric bill feel like a jump scare? You’re just living a normal life, bumping up the AC when the humidity hits, keeping up with laundry, and binging your favorite shows, but each month the number creeps higher and higher.
What are you doing wrong?
Don’t worry, sky-rocketing electricity costs usually aren’t random, and there are steps you can take to bring them back down into a range that doesn’t make you think you’re having a heart attack.
From aging appliances to phantom loads to outdated HVAC systems, the professionals at AAA Heating and Cooling outline possible reasons why your electricity bill is so high and give practical solutions to bringing it back down to earth.
Table of Contents
- Why Is My Electricity Bill So High?
- 6 Possible Reasons Your Electricity Bill Is So High
- Lower Your Electric Bill By Making 4 Important Changes
- Let AAA Heating and Cooling Support Your Efforts To Decrease Energy Usage
Why Is My Electricity Bill So High?
A skyrocketing electric bill could be a result of one or a combination of factors, including:
- Electricity rates and plans
- Outdated appliances
- Lack of insulation
- Energy use habits
- Phantom loads or “vampire power”
- HVAC issues
The most efficient way to determine the cause of a high electricity bill is to obtain a detailed energy report from the past year. From there, see if you can identify a pattern of energy usage.
Since 1961, AAA Heating and Cooling has installed over 30,000 residential and commercial HVAC systems in the Greater Portland area. We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are proud to provide top-of-the-line, trusted heating and cooling services.
Request an appointment today!
6 Possible Reasons Your Electricity Bill Is So High
#1: Electricity Rates and Tiered Plans
Even if your energy habits have remained consistent, your utility rates may have gone up due to:
- Higher fuel costs for natural gas, coal, and oil
- Inflation
- Grid infrastructure investments
- Seasonal rate adjustments
- Utility company is estimating energy consumption instead of reading your meter
Also, double-check your electricity account to see if you’re on a tiered rate plan. If so, higher electricity use places you into a more expensive pricing tier.
#2: Aging Appliances
Older refrigerators, washers, dryers, and water heaters can be huge electricity suckers in your home, typically using 28% or more electricity than newer, energy-saving models.
For the most noticeable savings, prioritize replacing any appliances that run continuously, such as:
- Refrigerators
- Stand-alone freezers
- Hot water heaters
#3: Poor Insulation
A huge reason why your electricity bill may be so high is a lack of insulation, especially in older homes.
If your home’s insulation isn’t up to par, your cooled or heated air escapes and your HVAC system is forced to run longer and work harder to keep you at a comfortable temperature.
#4: Energy Usage Habits
Your energy use habits play a significant role in how much you pay for electricity each month, and include:
- How often you do laundry
- Whether you are washing laundry in hot water instead of warm or cold
- How many times a week you run your dishwasher
- The length, frequency, and temperature of your showers
- The temperature setting on your water heater
- The type of light bulbs you use
- Whether you keep the refrigerator or freezer door open for prolonged periods
You’ll also likely find energy usage is higher than normal when you have more people in your home, like over school breaks and during holidays.
#5: Phantom Loads or “Vampire Power”
Phantom loads refer to the power used up by items left plugged in while they’re not in use or left in standby mode. The most common culprits include:
- TVs
- Cable and satellite boxes
- Desktop computers and monitors
- Gaming consoles
- Phone and tablet chargers
- Coffee makers
- Microwaves
- Juicers
#6: HVAC Issues
HVAC systems can often be the main cause of higher energy costs, especially if they’re inefficient and have to work harder to keep you comfortable. Possible issues include things like:
- Dirty or clogged filters: Dirty filters can quickly become clogged and restrict your system’s airflow, forcing the motor on the blower to have to work harder than it’s designed to.
- Obstructed or leaking ductwork: If your ducts were poorly sealed or have suffered damage, the loss of conditioned air is costing you money. Common reasons for these issues include: debris, animal nests, or collapsed flexible ductwork.
- Dirty evaporator or condenser coils: Allowing dirt and dust to accumulate on HVAC coils inhibits the proper transfer of heat, meaning your system has to run longer and work harder to reach and maintain the set temperature.
- Refrigerant leaks: Low refrigerant levels mean your system isn’t able to cool properly. This is especially prevalent in older HVAC systems and can potentially result in a failed compressor.
- Improperly set or faulty thermostat: If your thermostat is outdated or miscalibrated, your HVAC system will be unable to cycle as it should and will run too long or not long enough.
- Old systems: An HVAC system that’s older than 10-15 years likely lacks efficiency and leads to higher operational costs due to outdated tech and wear and tear.
- Blocked vents: Closed dampers or vents blocked by furniture or curtains prevent proper air circulation and make your system work harder than it should.
- Incorrectly sized unit: If your HVAC system is too small or too large for your space, it will have a difficult time maintaining your desired temperature and cycle more frequently than it should.
At AAA Heating and Cooling, we’re proud to provide reliable, high-quality HVAC products and services to residential and commercial clients in Portland. As the premier heating and cooling contractor in the region, we are committed to keeping your home and business comfortable and climate-controlled while improving your indoor air quality.
Contact our Portland HVAC company today to request an appointment for HVAC inspection, repair, or installation.
Lower Your Electric Bill By Making 4 Important Changes
#1: Upgrade Your Appliances
Older appliances are notorious for draining energy and resulting in higher bills.
When you can, choose ENERGY STAR® models to help guarantee you’re getting the best product for maximum energy savings on your energy bill. When comparing old vs. new appliances:
- Older model refrigerators use up to 35% more energy than ENERGY STAR® units. Avoiding add-on features like automatic ice and water dispensers further reduces energy consumption.
- Older model washers and dryers use up to 25% more energy and 30% more water than ENERGY STAR® units.
Older model cooking units use 20% to 40% more energy than ENERGY STAR® models.
#2: Upgrade Insulation and Weatherproofing
Upgrading your home’s insulation can be one of the more inexpensive options for reducing your electric bill.
Consider adding insulation:
- In your attic to keep heat in your living spaces
- Around your electrical outlets
- Spots where utilities enter your home
- Around plumbing (this provides the added bonus of protecting pipes from freezing)
Putting an end to drafts is another smart option, and includes things like:
- Installing weatherstripping around leaky doors and windows
- Placing draft stoppers at the base of leaky doors and windows
- Installing door sweeps to help seal the space between the doorframe and the bottom of your door
#3: Revisit Your Electricity Usage Habits
Changing even little things can result in a noticeable impact on your electricity bill. Consider:
- Choosing LED lighting over incandescent: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, switching to LED light bulbs will last up to 25 times longer and use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
- Only running full loads of laundry: Not only will you cut down on your hot water usage, but you’ll also use less electricity heating your dryer.
Eliminating phantom loads: Unplug devices or plug them into a power strip that can easily be turned off when you aren’t using them.
#4: Upgrade Your HVAC System
Research reveals that upgrading your outdated HVAC system can lower your energy bills by 21–37% due to modern systems:
- Higher efficiency ratings (AFUE & SEER): Modern HVAC systems have higher Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) for furnaces and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) for air conditioners, which means they do a better job of converting energy into heating and cooling.
- Variable-speed technology: New HVAC units can run longer at lower speeds, thereby needing significantly less electricity to keep your home comfortable. Older single-stage systems only operate at 100% capacity.
- Smart thermostats and zoning: New HVAC units typically operate on programmable, smart, and zoned systems, allowing you to choose to only heat or cool certain rooms to avoid wasting energy.
- Improved airflow and components: Newer motors and blowers are more efficient and therefore lower the strain on your system and require less power to keep the air circulating.
- Tax credits: Making the move to install qualifying high-efficiency equipment, like heat pumps, can allow homeowners to claim federal tax credits of up to $3,200.
- Better humidity control: Since newer HVAC have slower run times, they remove more moisture and allow you to feel comfortable at higher temperatures in hot, humid weather.
Fewer repairs: Newer systems are less prone to breakdowns, saving you money on maintenance costs.
Let AAA Heating and Cooling Support Your Efforts To Decrease Energy Usage
If you’re serious about lowering your electric bill, the professionals at AAA Heating and Cooling are here to help!
Our experienced team can maintain your current unit or install a new:
- Furnace
- Air conditioner
- Water heater
- Heat pump
- Thermostat
- Air purification system
- Dehumidifier
- Humidifier
- Indoor air ventilation system
We can also clean your ductwork to ensure everything keeps flowing smoothly and efficiently. Reach out today and let AAA help take the shock out of your monthly electric bill.