3 Air Conditioning Issues That May Be Responsible for Your Absurd Electricity Bills
Proper AC maintenance keeps AC equipment in good working order, resulting in reduced need for air conditioning repairs as well as savings on energy. Every air conditioning issue has the potential to waste precious energy in a building, but some problems tend to be bigger causes of energy wastage than others. Here's a breakdown of some typical AC issues that usually lead to a significant increase in monthly air conditioning bills.
- Leaky duct work: Leaky ducts are a major cause of energy wastage in homes with ducted AC systems. Unlike the AC equipment itself, the duct work that runs in the attic, basement, crawl space and other parts of the home is usually not inspected as frequently as required yet they are a crucial part of the AC system. When there are leaks in the ductwork, your AC system will waste money because not all the conditioned-air will reach your air supply vents. Routine maintenance of your entire AC system, including the duct work is crucial to ensuring that electricity bills do not soar up unnecessarily.
- Leaky refrigerant: AC refrigerant is the fluid that cools the warm air in your AC system so that you can get cool air from your air supply vents. When this fluid leaks out of the system, your AC equipment loses its capacity to provide cool air, resulting in waste of energy. The reading on your electricity meter will continue increasing regardless of the fact that you will not be getting any cooling service from your AC equipment. Regular maintenance will ensure that any refrigerant leaks are detected before they can cause your electricity expenses to spiral out of control.
- Clogged air filters: AC filters help sanitise the air entering the AC system through the air intake vents by trapping airborne contaminants, such as dirt, dust, pollen, human hair, pet fur and dander, VOCs, et cetera, cetera. As airborne pollutants build up over time, the filters clog up and become less efficient at their job of ensuring that the air going into the AC equipment is clean. As a matter of fact, good air flow will be inhibited when AC filters become blocked, and this will cause the AC equipment to run harder than necessary to achieve the desired indoor temperatures. This will result in high electricity bills. AC filters should be regularly changed to maintain good flow of air into the AC system.
The best way to keep tabs on your AC system issues that result in high electricity bills is to call in a certified HVAC technician to provide maintenance service when required.