Air conditioning systems are a blessing on hot summer days. However, you can often be left with a huge electricity bill in your quest for a cool temperature. Air conditioning systems do consume a lot of energy, especially on a sweltering day. Several reasons lead to high energy consumption, such as duct leaks, dirty filters, low refrigerant, improper maintenance, wrong installation, and more.
This article lists the major reasons that contribute to high AC/electric bills. Read on to discover the best solutions to cut down the cost. If you are looking for a reliable company that provides AC repair in Phoenix, visit AHWA.
Reasons For High Electricity Consumption
Here are the possible reasons why your AC has been consuming a lot of energy.
Air Filters And Outside Unit
AC air filters absorb dirt and dust from the room. If the filters aren’t cleaned from time to time, they accumulate a lot of dust, hindering airflow. Resultantly, the unit takes too long to cool the room.
The longer you’ll keep the air conditioning system running, the higher the electricity consumption will be. Hence, it is recommended to clean air filters and change the filters within 1-2 months. This easy maintenance check will save you from high energy bills.
Leakage In AC Duct
The AC duct is responsible for distributing air throughout the room. It plays a crucial role in delivering the desired results as expected of an air conditioner. Leakage in the duct may reduce the system’s ability to distribute air.
Plus, it may fail to reach the thermostat setting, and as a result, it will run longer and harder and may fail to cool the room; thus, causing high electricity bills. It’s best to hire a professional to ensure an efficient and healthy system that maintains proper airflow.
Dirt Accumulation In The Exterior Unit
AC has exterior and interior units. The latter is responsible for heat absorption from the air using the refrigerant. The percolated air is sent to the AC’s exterior unit for heat dispersal. Over time, the exterior unit gets clogged with debris and dirt.
And since they act as insulators, there won’t be adequate dispersal of heat. Resultantly, you’ll have to keep the AC running for a longer period, and the circuit breaker may trip in an effort to dispel the heat.
After 5-6 months of use, hire a professional to get the condenser unit cleaned properly. Don’t attempt to clean the unit on your own. HVAC technicians are equipped with appropriate cleaning fluids and tools for cleaning out the external unit with a guarantee of zero damage.
Air Conditioner Running Continuously Or For Longer Period
Set the thermostat temperature at a level that helps maintain the required temperature of your room without keeping the AC running for a longer period. The more your air conditioner runs, the higher the cost of electricity bill. Thermostats help in running the unit correctly. It turns off the unit when the room reaches the required temperature level.
Irregular AC Maintenance
Routine maintenance of an AC unit by a professional is essential. It makes sure that parts like capacitor motors, capacitors, compressors, and others are working correctly.
Failing parts of the air conditioning system will most likely result in a high amount of electricity consumption. Eventually, it will affect the system’s efficiency and result in an early cooling system breakdown. Let’s say your AC has a failed condenser motor. In this case, the unit is unable to eliminate heat from the room efficiently.
If the motor struggles to operate optimally, then the unit may fail to cool and maintain the room’s temperature to the desired level. And this may continue until the motor of your AC breaks down completely. Hence, it is recommended to have the unit professionally serviced once or twice a year.
Leakage In Line Sets Or Coils
Air conditioners use refrigerants (r-410a Puron or r-22 Freon) for transferring heat from the room to maintain the required temperature of the space. A leakage in line sets of coils results in low refrigerant, which doesn’t allow the system to eliminate heat properly from the area.
If the units run low, then the air conditioning system will consume more energy. The entire system will have to operate more intensely to meet the temperature set on the thermostat.
Leakage is one of the most common reasons for low refrigerant, and it may occur anywhere in the line sets and coils system that is responsible for transferring the refrigerant. It needs a professional hand for diagnosing and repairing the issue accurately.
Improper Installation
Faulty installation means your air conditioner will most likely not operate optimally. Let’s say the AC unit is oversized, which causes rapid kick on/off and short cycles. It may cause more energy consumption as the unit will use increased energy to start up.
Besides, bad installation may create additional problems resulting from faulty electrical connections, bad welding, brazing, missing parts, or non-sealed connections of the duct. It may also lead to a breakdown of interior or exterior units. That’s the reason why make sure you pay adequate attention to air conditioning installation and get it done by industry professionals. They are well-versed in their jobs and can complete their tasks efficiently.
Inefficient Room Insulation
When the windows or any open space of the room isn’t properly sealed, it is more likely to serve as the passage of cooling exiting the room. Your AC will have to work harder to cool the area.
Hence, make sure the windows are sealed properly. You may obtain the help of a professional for sealing the area or any repairs if needed.
Know that solid objects absorb heat, and hence it’s best to avoid stuffing the room where AC is installed. You’ll need to run the air conditioner for a longer period to cool the area full of solid materials as every item kept in it will need cooling.
In simple words, it means higher electricity consumption. Keep the above factors in mind, and you can easily cut down the average electricity bill of your AC.
*Photos by Max Vakhtbovych
