You are viewing the Perry & Warner Robins, GA location.
Unless you have an electric water heater or furnace, the air conditioner is the most electrically demanding indoor appliance in your house. When an AC switches to cooling mode, it can consume around 3.0 kilowatts per hour per hour. By comparison, just running a ceiling fan consumes 0.025–0.075 kilowatts per hour. When you have to run your AC regularly, you can expect to see an increase in your regular electric bills.
But if you’ve had the same AC for several years, you’ll have an understanding of how much that increase will be during the summer. When that increase starts to seem abnormally high and you know you aren’t doing anything different with cooling your home, it’s something to pay attention to. You may need to schedule AC repair in Warner Robins, GA with our team. You might even need to consider replacing the air conditioner.
We’ll look into why an AC might become a massive power-draining below. This will help you know what you need to do to get those costs under control.
Common Causes for Abnormally High Cooling Costs
Clogged air filters
When the air filter in your AC becomes clogged with dust, dirt, and debris, it restricts airflow. This makes your air conditioner work harder to cool your home, leading to increased energy consumption. Regularly checking and replacing the air filter can prevent this issue and keep your cooling costs down.
Faulty thermostat
A malfunctioning thermostat can cause your AC to run more often than necessary, or it may not accurately gauge the temperature in your home. This can lead to your system using more energy than it should. If you suspect your thermostat isn’t working correctly, have it inspected and possibly replaced.
Refrigerant leaks
Refrigerant is essential for your AC to cool the air properly. If there’s a leak, the system will work harder to achieve the desired temperature, which increases energy usage. A refrigerant leak is not only costly but can lead to more severe damage to your AC if not addressed promptly by a pro.
Leaky air ducts
If the ductwork in your home has leaks, conditioned air will escape before it reaches its intended destination. Your AC has to run longer to cool your home, driving up electricity bills. Sealing leaks in the ducts will improve efficiency and reduce cooling costs.
Short-cycling
Short-cycling occurs when your AC turns on and off frequently without completing a full cooling cycle. This strains the system and uses more energy. Short-cycling can be caused by various issues, and addressing the root cause is essential to stop ongoing energy waste.
Over-the-Hill AC
As air conditioners age, they become less efficient. An older AC may need to run longer to cool your home, which leads to electrical drain. If your system is more than 10–15 years old and your energy bills are rising, it might be time to consider upgrading.
Trust to Premier When You Need AC Help
If you’re experiencing unusually high cooling bills, don’t wait to take action. We have the expertise to diagnose the problem and offer solutions that can help you save on energy costs. Whether it’s a simple repair or a complete system replacement, we’re here to ensure your home stays cool and your bills don’t cause anxiety attacks.