If your electrical bill has been steadily increasing, you might be wondering what is causing the sudden jump. Unfortunately, one of the most common culprits is your air conditioning system. From an inefficient compressor to a faulty thermostat, there are several things that can cause your electricity bill to skyrocket. In this blog post, we will explore four of the most common reasons why your A/C system could be the cause of your expensive electrical bill.
Are you noticing that your electricity bill is steadily increasing? There could be a few culprits behind the increase, and one of the most common causes could be that your air filter is dirty. A clogged air filter can lead to a variety of problems, including high electric bills. When your air filter is dirty, your HVAC system has to work harder to push air through the system. This increased workload results in your system running longer, which means more electricity is needed to power it. This extra energy use directly translates into an increased electricity bill.
Is your electric bill soaring despite having your air conditioner running the same amount? You might want to take a closer look at your air conditioner’s refrigerant levels. If you’re not sure what refrigerants are or how they work, don’t worry – it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Refrigerants are special types of fluids that absorb heat, allowing your AC unit to cool your home. When there isn’t enough of it, your air conditioner has to work harder and longer to reach the temperature you set on your thermostat. This causes your electric bills to rise and puts more stress on your AC system, leading to potential breakdowns. If you suspect low refrigerant levels, contact a qualified technician to inspect your AC unit and determine if a refill is necessary.
Your thermostat may not seem like it’s part of your air conditioning system, but a faulty one can still drive up your electric bills. A faulty thermostat can cause your air conditioner to run continuously and may also cause it to cycle too often, using too much energy. To avoid this, make sure you check the thermostat on a regular basis. Inspect it for wear or damages, and replace it if necessary. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, then contact an experienced technician who can help diagnose the issue and ensure that everything is running correctly.
When it comes to explaining why your electric bill is going up, one of the most common culprits is a lack of maintenance. A/C systems require regular maintenance to keep them running efficiently and safely. If you haven't had your system serviced in a while, chances are it's not running at its best. Regular maintenance checks can help identify potential issues before they become costly problems. This could include anything from a leaky gasket to clogged air filters or ducts. Your HVAC technician will be able to tell you if any components need to be replaced or serviced. They may also be able to suggest ways for you to reduce your energy usage, such as installing a programmable thermostat or switching to more efficient lighting.
Your air conditioning system is one of the biggest culprits behind skyrocketing electric bills. When your air filter is dirty, refrigerant levels are low, your thermostat is faulty or you lack proper maintenance, your A/C system can end up using a lot more energy than it should. Taking the time to regularly maintain your air conditioning system, replace the filter and keep an eye out for signs of faulty components can help reduce your electric bill by ensuring that your A/C system is running efficiently. Ready to give your system some TLC? Our Peter Levi team is here to TAKE CARE OF IT today!
If your home constantly feels muggy or you’re always coming down with a cold, your home’s humidity levels might be at fault. Typically, ideal humidity levels hover around 40% to 55%, and when your home’s humidity dips below or spikes above these levels, you can run into several problems. To keep your home in the best shape possible and protect your comfort, take a moment to learn more about why home humidification is essential and the five main signs you need a humidification system.
When your home has too high or low humidification levels, you can experience several issues, both to your home and your comfort. For example, if your home has low humidity levels (around 15-30% humidity), you can experience the following problems:
Besides the problems low humidity levels can create, high humidity levels (around 55-80% humidity) can also harm your quality of life and home. Some of the main problems high humidity causes include:
Since low or high humidification levels can cause several issues, it’s essential to monitor your levels and ensure your home’s air stays at around 40% to 55% humidity. Fortunately, HVAC technicians can solve the issue by installing the right humidification system for your home. However, before you spring for a humidification system, you’ll need to know you’re having humidity issues in the first place. Review the five main signs that you need a humidification system below:
Low humidity levels in your home can cause your hair and scalp to feel dry. Since dry air pulls moisture out of your skin, your skin will be more easily irritated, leading to an itchy scalp and dry, flaky skin. A humidification system can solve this problem by increasing the humidity in your home.
When you have low humidity levels in your home, your home’s air will feel drier. This dry air will cause your furnace to run longer during the winter, as dry air retains less heat than wet air. As a result, your furnace will have to run for longer periods to keep your home at your desired temperature. By fixing your humidity levels, your furnace will work more efficiently and use less energy, leading to reduced energy bills.
Dry air will have a direct effect on your wood furniture and floors. Since dry air pulls moisture from wood, low humidity levels can warp and crack your wood flooring or furniture. When you have high humidity levels, the opposite problem occurs, as your wood floors and furniture will absorb too much water from the air. These wet conditions can cause your floorboards to expand and cup. Eventually, high humidity levels can even cause your wood floors to rot.
Besides rotting your floorboards, high humidity levels can cause mold to grow in your home. Overly humid air regularly causes patches of mold to form on a home’s walls and can make your home smell musty. If mold builds up in your home, it can harm your indoor air quality, causing allergic reactions and respiratory issues. Mold growth can also stain surfaces, cause your home to smell bad, and make it easier for fungi to grow and damage your home.
Another key sign that your home’s air is too dry is if you’ve noticed a lot of static electricity or dust around your home. Since low humidity levels increase static electricity, you’ll probably notice more static shocks when you touch a metal door handle or another metallic object in your home. This static electricity will also cause dust to cling to your furniture and other surfaces, leading to greater dust build-up in your home.
If you’re looking for humidification services near you in Northern California, Peter Levi has you covered. When your home’s humidity levels are too low or high, our HVAC technicians can inspect your home and help you select the right humidification system. After you select a system, we’ll install it for you to ensure your home always has the correct levels of moisture. You can also review our coupons for our plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services to receive the best deal possible on whatever service you need.
Learn more about our humidification system services today. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, please contact us.
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