You are receiving high energy bills for the past couple of months and want to know where you are going wrong. You may even suspect if your AC is using too much electricity.

So, how does AC affect your electric bill?

About 87% of households in the country use air conditioning systems. And the EIA estimates that around 12% of your energy usage comes from your cooling needs.

How Does Your AC Work?

Air conditioning works similar to refrigeration. Like your fridge, an AC contains several tubes in a series, wound into coils for evaporation and condensation.

A compressor pump moves the refrigerant through the AC system, where it evaporates and pumps gas back to the compressor. Heat goes out the home and brings in fresh, cool air.

As a Texas resident, you understand that summers can get soaring. If the above situation continues, you may be looking at abnormally high bills.

Here’s Why Your AC Is Using Too Much Electricity

If your AC is using too much electricity, it may be due to:

Duct Leaks

The air ducts distribute conditioned air throughout your living spaces. Hence, they become a crucial part of this complex system.

Any leaks or cracks in the ductwork can reduce the performance of your AC. This situation forces the equipment to suck more energy. Besides, it will take more time to achieve the desired thermostat level.

Dirty Filter

If the air filter is dirty, the AC’s efficiency decreases and pollutants will be in the home. Your family may have severe health problems if indoor air quality suffers.

Restricted airflow leads to increased run time to make your home cool. You will also face the risk of overheating the motor and other parts.

Poor Maintenance and Repair Issues

You should get your AC checked at least once a year to benefit from system efficiency. Otherwise, you won’t know when it can break down.

The result is that your AC is using too much electricity.

Your AC technician can make appropriate recommendations like getting a reusable filter or duct sealing. Therefore, you can prevent the motor or capacitor from failing.

Insufficient Amount of Refrigerant

Your AC unit may be running a little low on refrigerant, which can taper with proper heat removal. The system will work harder, and this will reflect on your billing statement.

One of the main reasons for low refrigerant is a leak in the coils. A professional inspection can detect leaks and potential repair problems.

Out-of-Date System

Any electronic equipment will worsen with use. But if your AC unit has been through a lot of repairs and is now staggering to deliver the output, it may be time to let it go. Furthermore, if you want to know, “does old AC affect your electric bill?” They are very expensive to run.

Even if it is only 10-years-old, you can save up to 40% by replacing it with a new one. It is better to buy ENERGY STAR products that save up to 20% on your bills.

Whether your AC is using too much electricity or not, you can save costs with the right power plan.

Compare energy plans and prices on Shop Texas Electricity now!