Why Your Energy Bill Spikes in June (And How to Fix It With Smart HVAC Upgrades)

June is commonly when many homeowners see a spike in their energy bills. Below, we’ll address how upgrading some common HVAC equipment can be a great tactic to implement.

Reasons for the Increase

While there are many reasons why your energy bills are rising in June, one of the most obvious is increased AC usage. In June, the weather shifts to being consistently hot and humid. An inefficient HVAC system will use a lot of energy to cool your home. If you have an outdated thermostat for your AC system, you may be cooling your home when you don’t need to.

Install a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

One of the most cost-effective ways to reduce your energy bills is to install a programmable or smart thermostat. Both allow you to optimize your system’s energy usage by pre-programming different settings depending on the day of the week and the time of day.

Creating a thermostat schedule can allow you to set the temperature higher during the times when you know you’re going to be away, like when you’re at work. This will reduce the runtime of your air conditioner, leading to less energy usage and more savings. If you decide to take it a step further and get a smart thermostat, you can enjoy more features like real-time energy usage tracking and eco mode.

Smart thermostats often include sound or motion sensors to tell you whether a room is occupied. They may also have geofencing capabilities. If you connect it to your cellphone, it can detect when you get past a certain distance from your home and switch the settings to “away” mode. When you return to the area, the AC begins to cool your home to the desired temperature before you arrive home.

Seal Your Ducts

Because your air ducts are made of metal, they will expand and contract when temperatures change. Over time, this expansion and contraction can cause joints to loosen. Whenever you have leaks in your ductwork, some of the cold air your AC produces will seep into wall and floor crevices instead of making it to all the rooms of your home. This could mean that only 70% of your AC’s cool air reaches your rooms.

The best way to handle these leaks is with duct sealing service. Professionals will apply a specialized resin serum to the inside of your ducting, hardening and sealing up any leaks. This will significantly increase the efficiency of your air conditioner and ensure all the cold air it produces makes it to your home’s rooms.

Get a High-Efficiency AC System

If you want to make a massive difference in your energy bills, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency air conditioning system. These units provide maximal energy savings for homeowners and can take a big dent out of your monthly utility bills. Many HVAC professionals suggest that homeowners can save between 20 and 30% more on their monthly energy bills by purchasing a high-efficiency AC unit compared to a standard one.

Invest in Annual AC Maintenance

Another thing you don’t want to forget to do to keep your energy bills in check this summer is to get professional air conditioner maintenance. Our professional maintenance ensures that all the internal components of your system are working efficiently.

Whole-Home Dehumidifier

Virginia can be extremely humid during the summertime. Unfortunately, when the air is overly moist, less of your body’s sweat gets absorbed into the air. This can leave you feeling excessively hot and uncomfortable as your body is unable to adequately cool down. Many homeowners instinctively turn to their thermostats to reduce the temperature to increase their comfort.

One of the best things you can do is invest in a whole-home dehumidification system. This type of system integrates with your existing air conditioner and ductwork to help remove more moisture from the air in your home. Your body is naturally cooler when you have a more comfortable indoor humidity level. You can then keep your thermostat settings a bit higher while still remaining comfortable.

Reliable AC Installation Service

CB Lucas provides reliable AC installation service for the Dumfries, VA area. We can also assist with all your AC replacement, repair, and maintenance needs. Call us today to book your next service consultation.