Common HVAC Problems That Create Larger Electric Bills
When you are experiencing high electric bills throughout the year, you may be surprised that your HVAC system is the main cause. By learning more about your HVAC system and the areas that are commonly the problem, it will be easier to figure out the main issue and repair it.
Thermostat Issues
One portion of your home's HVAC system that can cause very high electric bills is the thermostat. When the thermostat is old or installed wrong, your emergency heating can activate. This activation creates a higher electric bill, because the heating and cooling portions of your system turn on at the same time.
When both systems are active, your HVAC unit is trying to heat and cool your home simultaneously. One sign that lets you know that this could be your problem is that you cannot cool your home down during the warmer months of the year, no matter what temperature you set the system to.
You can check this problem on your own by looking at the thermostat and seeing if it has a light or read out that shows the emergency heat is running. However, some models do not have a clear indicator, so you should also have your system inspected if you suspect your thermostat is the problem.
To fix this issue, the technician may only need to adjust the setting for your thermostat. Another option for handling this problem involves the technician installing a new thermostat. The repairs will allow your system to work properly and help you reduce your monthly electric bill.
Loose Ductwork Seam
The ductwork for your HVAC system is another area that can cause higher electric bills. When a single seam is loose, it causes the air to leak out of the ductwork. When this happens, your HVAC system cannot send enough hot or cold air into your home.
Unfortunately, when the system is not changing the temperature of your home, the thermostat will not tell your HVAC system to turn off. This in turn creates higher electric bills, because the unit is not cycling off.
The easiest way to determine if loose ductwork seams are an issue is to have a technician check the air pressure coming out of your home's vents. The idea is to see where the least amount of air is flowing, because it helps the technician find the possible location of the leak.
Once the leak has been found, the technician can repair the seam with additional screws and a sealant. After the leak is repaired, the air will flow correctly from the unit to the rest of your home.
To help reduce your electric bills, you need to make sure your HVAC system is functioning properly. Maintaining your system with routine inspections is the best way to reduce the amount of energy your system consumes on a daily basis. For more information, contact a local HVAC company like United Heating & Air Conditioning.