Yikes! Why Are My AC Bills So High?

August 19th, 2024
Woman adjusting digital thermostat as part of home HVAC service and temperature control.

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, especially if your AC runs too long too often.

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. In some cases, an oversized AC system can contribute to higher bills by cycling on and off too quickly, leading to wasted energy.

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. Part of the solution may involve getting your AC prepped for warmer weather so it runs efficiently before summer’s peak.

Why might your AC bills be so high, and when should you call HVAC service?

  • Clogged air filters: Restricted airflow forces your system to work harder and raises energy usage.
  • Faulty thermostat: A malfunctioning thermostat may overwork your AC by running it too much or misreading temps.
  • Refrigerant leaks: Low refrigerant makes your unit cool inefficiently and consume more power.
  • Leaky air ducts: Escaping conditioned air means your AC runs longer to maintain comfort.
  • Short-cycling: Frequent on-off cycling strains the system and uses excess energy.
  • Aging AC unit: Systems over 10-15 years old lose efficiency, time for a check-up or service.

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Why Is My AC Running All the Time?

August 19th, 2024
air-conditioning-plastic-grill

You can expect your air conditioning system to run more often when the outdoor temperature rises. But there’s a difference between an AC running often because it’s needed and running almost all the time. Air conditioning systems are designed to work in cooling cycles that continue until the thermostat has registered that the AC has hit the target temperature on the thermostat, after which the unit will cycle down for a stretch. Most cooling cycles will last 10 to 15 minutes, with a similar period in between cycles.

If your AC is running much longer than 15 minutes and seems to be on most of the time (often leading to a house that’s too cool even for a hot day), then you likely have a malfunctioning system. The AC may be in danger of a full breakdown, and you’ll also face extremely high energy bills from all the extra time the air conditioner is blasting away.

Sometimes there is a simple explanation. In other situations, you’ll need to schedule air conditioner repair in Nashville with professionals.

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Troubleshooting Steps to Try on Your AC Before Calling for Repairs

August 19th, 2024
AC-with-tools

The late summer often has some of the most brutal temperatures of the year. You don’t want to have your AC fail on you or struggle to provide the level of cooling you need when the outdoor temperature is mounting and the humidity feels overwhelming. 

Unfortunately, ACs can often fail during the intense heat, especially older units or ones that haven’t received regular maintenance. The best way to cure an ill air conditioner is to contact our technicians for air conditioner repair in Maysville. But you may not have an AC as sick as you believe. Before you reach out to us, you can go through several troubleshooting steps to see if there’s a simple cure for your AC’s problems.

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Ways You Can Put Ductless Cooling and Heating to Work for Your Home

August 19th, 2024
Woman sitting on a couch using remote control for a ductless mini split air conditioner on the wall.

Ductless systems have made major inroads into homes over the past few years. These variations on heat pumps allow for a home to enjoy cooling and heating in different rooms without requiring either space-consuming ductwork or inefficient and unattractive window ACs. 

A ductless system (also called a ductless mini split heat pump) works by having an outdoor unit connected to several small wall-mounted air handlers distributed around the house. Each air handler has its own refrigerant coil and blower fan to send heated or cooled air directly into the living space. Ductless systems have high energy efficiency, lead to better indoor air quality, and allow for zoned heating and cooling since only the air handlers in occupied rooms need to run. If you’re considering this upgrade, start by understanding current AC efficiency ratings to compare system performance.

How can homeowners spot when a ductless mini split needs repair?

  • Watch for weak or inconsistent airflow from wall-mounted air handlers.
  • Notice unusual sounds like buzzing, rattling, or loud clicking during operation.
  • Be alert to unusual odors, musty or burning scents can signal mold or electrical issues.
  • Track temperature fluctuations that indicate the system isn’t maintaining set levels.
  • Consider professional help if you see leaks, liquid around units, or error codes displayed.

Another major benefit is that ductless systems are flexible. You can put them to work in your home (even if you already have ducts) in a variety of ways. Here are several.

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Thinking Beyond the Summer About Your AC’s Future

August 19th, 2024
Overheated woman sitting in front of a fan at home, indicating need for AC service.

It’s still hot, it’s still summer. But we’re in the late season, and it’s not a bad time to begin thinking about the future of your AC. For example, has your air conditioning system worked to your expectations over this season? Do you think it will be possible to go another summer? If you have doubts about your current air conditioning system, you’ll want to consider having a new air conditioning installation in Glenwood, GA when the temperatures cool down. 

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Burnt Out Motors in an AC: Detection and Prevention

August 19th, 2024
Two outdoor AC condenser units surrounded by greenery next to a brick wall, indicating AC maintenance service.

An air conditioning system uses several motors to operate. This is where most of the electrical power goes, and the reason you see an increase in your electric bills during the summer. The most powerful motor drives the compressor, the heart of the AC. There are several other motors in operation, such as the blower fan motor responsible for the circulation of air through a house and moving warm air across the evaporator coil to cool it down.

Motors have a finite service life. They will eventually wear down and need to be replaced. With proper care, you can help keep the motors in your AC running until it’s time to have the entire air conditioner replaced (usually in the 10 to 15-year range). But motors may run down earlier. Learn more about how long you can expect your AC to last to determine whether repair or replacement makes the most sense.

We’re going to look at signs you have motors in trouble and the ways you can help keep your AC’s motors running with proper maintenance and air conditioning system repair in Loganville, GA.

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AC Problems—Could it Be the Thermostat? 

August 5th, 2024
Digital thermostat displaying 55 degrees Celsius against a blue sky background.

Something is wrong: your trusty air conditioning system, which usually has no trouble managing cool temperatures in your home during the summer, is falling down on the job. The house is warmer than it should be, or there are hot spots in the rooms, or the AC keeps shutting down too early.

There are several possible sources for these troubles, and it’s important to call on professionals to find out what it is when basic troubleshooting doesn’t solve them. But the problem may not be in the AC. Often, these cooling issues stem from the thermostat, as we’ll explain below.

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Leaky Air Ducts—Why This Is a Big HVAC Problem

August 5th, 2024
Technician sealing an air duct joint with caulk during an air duct repair.

The ducts in your house are a key part of the HVAC system: you don’t get any circulation of air or heated or cooled air sent to the rooms without it. Unfortunately, the ducts can sustain damage from corrosion, wear, aging, poor installation, vermin and insects, and construction that can create air leaks. In many homes, inefficient ductwork could be costing you money.

But are a few holes in the ductwork a big deal? Yes! It’s a reason we offer duct services in Warner Robins, GA to test and seal ducts. Below we’ll go into why leaky air ducts are a problem that requires a swift professional solution.

Why should you repair leaky air ducts promptly?

Leaky air ducts reduce HVAC efficiency, increase energy bills, and create uneven heating or cooling. They also let dust, allergens, and mold enter your system, which can worsen indoor air quality. Repairing ducts restores comfort, lowers costs, and helps your HVAC system last longer.

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A Wheezing AC? Why Its Airflow Is Low

August 5th, 2024
Heating/Cooling Vent

Your air conditioning system can experience “breathing problems.” Much of the AC’s successful operation at keeping your home cool is based on its ability to circulate air—drawing air from the house through return air ducts, cooling it, and then blowing it into supply air ducts to the room. If your AC struggles to do this, it will result in a lower volume of cooled air and less air sent to the rooms. Obviously, This Is Not Good when it comes to your comfort.

So you’ve got a “wheezing” AC on your hands. What’s causing it, and what can you do about it? Below, we’ll examine these questions about poor airflow from an AC and help you identify when you need AC repair in Nashville, TN. 

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How Do Ductless AC Systems Work?

August 5th, 2024
Illustration of ductless mini split air conditioner components with digital temperature display.

Ductless HVAC systems aren’t new technology, but they only recently started to become popular in the US after they conquered the Japanese and European markets. Ductless AC and heating is extremely useful for those locations, where residences are either too small or too old to have ductwork in them for central heating and cooling. 

Quick Fix Steps for Ductless Mini‑Split Issues

  • Clean or replace air filters to restore proper airflow.
  • Confirm thermostat settings and ensure the unit has power.
  • Clear debris from around both indoor and outdoor units.
  • Watch for ice buildup or unusual noises, possible refrigerant issues.
  • For refrigerant leaks, electrical faults, or persistent malfunctions, contact a professional technician.

Using a ductless heat pump for both cooling and heating a home may be the best choice for your home’s HVAC plan, or it may be useful as an addition to a standard HVAC system. If you’re unsure which approach suits your home better, this breakdown comparing ductless vs. traditional HVAC can help clarify the differences.

We’re experts at installation and servicing ductless HVAC systems in Maysville, KY, and today we want to give you a basic primer on how they work.

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