Reasons Why Your Electric Bill Is High

Reasons Why Your Electric Bill Is High

Why Your Electric Bill is Skyrocketing

Electricity rates seem to be getting higher with each passing day, but when you’re receiving an abnormally high bill month after month, there must be a problem somewhere.

It’s easy to point to your utility provider as one of the high electric bill causes that you have to deal with, but the way you use electricity at home may be the real reason.

Let’s take a look at some of the possible reasons your electric bill is high.

Inefficient lighting

If you’re still using incandescent bulbs to illuminate your home, then don’t be surprised if your electric bill is high. Incandescent bulbs produce light in the most inefficient way. About 90% of the electricity it uses turns into heat, and only 10% turns into light.

Switch to LED lights, which consume up to 80% less power than incandescent bulbs.

HVAC issues

An HVAC system, by nature, is an electricity hog. Heating and air conditioning account for nearly half of your household’s total electricity consumption. However, that consumption can get so much higher when your HVAC system is facing several issues that include:

  • Dirty air filter
  • Poor home insulation
  • Lack of maintenance/tune-up
  • Clogged vents
  • Dirty evaporator coils
  • Leaking ducts
  • Inadequate refrigerant levels

All of the above contribute to the inefficient operation of your HVAC system, which translates to astronomical electricity bills. You need the services of heating and air conditioning contractors to address HVAC issues. Better yet, hire the best heating and air conditioning contractors Phoenix has to offer to help make your HVAC system more efficient.

You don’t unplug appliances and devices.

Admittedly, unplugging devices and appliances when they’re not in use seems to be too much of a chore for us. It’s okay to leave them plugged in if you’re okay with huge energy bills, because the TV, computer, and all the devices you leave plugged in do consume electricity even when they’re not in use. But if you dread the delivery of your electric bill every single time, then maybe unplugging is worth the extra few seconds.

You use old, outdated appliances.

Older models of appliances are typically less efficient than newer ones. While it’s okay (and even a source of pride) to have ancient appliances still functioning as well as they did the first time you bought them, older appliances tend to be less efficient than newer models. A 10-year-old refrigerator, for example, uses up more electricity than one manufactured just a few years ago. The same goes for air conditioning units.

It may break your heart, getting rid of an old but sturdy appliance, but it’s ultimately better than continuing to use it and breaking the bank due to massive electricity bills.

Overcharging your devices

The average phone only needs 2-to-3 hours to charge fully. Many among us, however, tend to charge our gadgets for an entire day or even overnight. The result, of course, is predictable: higher electric bills.

Overcharging devices isn’t just costly; it’s also dangerous as the charger or the gadget itself could overheat or short-circuit, which could then result in a fire. So keep yourself aware of charging times, and never leave your devices plugged in for a longer time than necessary.

These are just some of the likely reasons for an unusually high electric bill. Check if you’re doing or facing any or all of the above, then act appropriately to save yourself from skyrocketing electric bills.