Reasons Why Your Energy Bill May Be Skyrocketing When You Run Your Air Conditioner

When it is hot outside, you run your air conditioning unit to help keep your home comfortable. While you expect your energy bill to increase, when you get your first bill of the season, you may find yourself in shock. There are a number of reasons why your energy bill may be skyrocketing when you run your air conditioning, and none of them are due to a sudden increase in energy costs. Here are a few of the reasons why your energy bill may have increased. 

Your Air Filters Are Dirty

One of the most common reasons why your air conditioning unit may be using more energy than normal is because your air filters are dirty. Your unit relies on the air filters to clean air that it pulls into the cooling device. But, if the filters are dirty, your unit cannot effectively pull in air. This can lead to the unit running longer to cool air, which ultimately ups its energy usage. 

Your Unit Needs to Be Maintained or Repaired

Another common reason why your air conditioning unit may be using a lot of energy is that maintenance or repairs are needed. Having your unit inspected and maintained annually helps to prevent both of these issues. A unit that is not maintained or is in need of repairs may work longer and harder to cool air, both of which increase the unit's energy consumption. 

You Have a Leak in Your Duct System

After your air conditioning unit cools the air, it pushes that cooled air into ducts in your home. If your ducts have a leak, cool air is escaping and not reaching the parts of your home where the cooled air is needed. Fixing the ducts helps ensure air goes where it is needed, helping decrease your energy usage. 

Your Air Conditioner Is Nearing the End of Its Life

Finally, your air conditioning unit may be using a lot of energy because it is nearing the end of its life. It may not be efficient any longer. Replacing the unit is the best way to solve this problem. 

If your energy bill has increased far more than you expected it would when you are running your air conditioning unit, you should call in an air conditioning repair company. They can inspect the unit, and help determine why your air conditioning unit is using so much energy. They can then clean and maintain the unit, repair the unit or your air ducts, and/or help you find a new, energy-efficient air conditioning unit and install it. All in all, your home will be kept cool and your energy bill will go down to the level that you expected when you began running your air conditioning unit.