Why Your Utility Bills Are Higher Than They Were A Few Years Ago While using A/C at home?

Are your bills growing steadily year after year? While tariff increases are not uncommon, you can spend far more on gas, electricity and water than you need. Below, we'll give you some insight into the common reasons home-owners have such high bills and what you can do about it.

1.Regular Maintenance Of HVAC Units

We know we look like a broken record, but it's absolutely true: Without ongoing HVAC maintenance, your heating and cooling system's performance will continue to decline and its energy consumption will continue to rise. With something as simple as replacing a clogged air filter, you can reduce your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent. Imagine what the optimization of the whole system can do.

2. You own outdated heating and cooling equipment

Eventually, every system in your home will need to be replaced, including heating and air conditioning. These figures can obviously vary depending on the use and good maintenance of the system. However, once your device is 15-20 years old, it will probably cost you huge cooling costs. At this age, the HVAC system requires more energy than usual to keep your home comfortable. As a result, you will have higher electricity bills until you install a replacement.

3. Your HVAC ductwork has a lot of leaks

Your HVAC duct has a lot of leaks. Leaky ducts are serious issues - you can lose up to 30 percent of the air passing through ducts due to ducts, holes, and slots that were never properly connected. We also often see air ducts that are too tightly compressed with bands holding them in place; this results in air flow restriction.

These duct problems can affect both new and old HVAC systems alike.

4. Plumbing leaks in your home, some you don't even know about

If you're experiencing issues such as high energy bills or consistently poor airflow, it may be worth sealing, repairing, or replacing your ductwork, depending on their condition. There are plumbing leaks in your home, some you don't even know about. Even "small" leaks, such as dripping faucets or shower heads, can result in the loss of hundreds to thousands of gallons of water in one year.

The more leaks of this type you have in your home, the higher your water bills will go over time. But while some leaks are easy to spot, others can remain hidden for a long time. For most people, the first sign of a hidden leak is an unusually high water bill. Check your water meter first. We recommend taking pictures with your phone so you don't have to write anything down.

Therefore, refrain from using water or appliances that use water in the house for two hours. Check the water meter again after two hours. If your water meter has been replaced, there is likely a leak in your home. There is sediment in the water heater.

Over time, heating the water in the tank can cause hard mineral deposits to form in the tank. These mineral deposits can coat the heater's heating element (the part that heats the water). Mineral deposits make heating elements less efficient, so your water heater will have to spend more time (and energy) heating the water.

This results in a higher electricity bill. You can avoid this problem by flushing the water heater tank once a year. Just be careful not to get burned by the hot water inside.

Keep in mind that tankless water heaters are also prone to mineral buildup, which reduces efficiency. Therefore, even tankless water heaters need to be washed once a year to avoid this problem.