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As of January 2024, the average cost of electric bills for homeowners in the U.S. is $138.90 per month. The state with the lowest average bill was Utah at $84.96, and the highest average bill was Hawaii at $228.04. Indiana and Michigan were averaging in the middle of these numbers at $130.63 and $119.58, respectively.

While homeowners may not be using their air conditioning system year-round, these statistics clearly indicate that energy costs are rising throughout the entire country. As a homeowner, you want to keep your AC bill and other necessary expenses as low as possible.

There are many things you can do to help keep your monthly energy bills low, from having your unit cleaned and serviced to scheduling a routine through your smart or programmable thermostat.

How Much Does Air Conditioning Increase an Electric Bill?

Your air conditioner often plays a significant role in determining your monthly energy bill, as it typically accounts for a substantial portion of your home’s energy consumption, especially during spring and summer months. The efficiency of your AC unit, along with factors such as the size of your home, local climate, and thermostat settings, can all impact how much energy your air conditioner uses.

For example, an older, inefficient AC unit is more likely to consume more energy, resulting in higher energy bills. A newer, more efficiently designed model, paired with energy-saving practices, can help lower monthly energy costs while maintaining comfort.

How to Lower Your AC Bill

Every house is different, which means you need to set your air conditioning system to specific settings to maximize comfort while sparing your wallet. Optimizing your AC’s energy efficiency doesn’t take a lot of time, work, or money. But, once you’ve figured out a setup that works for you, you can rest assured your energy bills will decrease while your comfort increases.

Upgrade to a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

The first thing to do is to know what’s causing your AC unit to use up more energy than it usually does. One of the most common culprits is often your thermostat. Your thermostat contributes to your energy bill more than you may think. These devices have complete control over your AC unit. Older manual thermostats are not equipped to handle modern AC units or energy requirements.

Installing a smart or programmable thermostat can drive energy savings. There are many benefits to installing one of these devices, including:

• Scheduling Capabilities: Smart and programmable thermostats optimize energy by allowing you to create a custom schedule for your AC and heating units. They’ll automatically adjust the temperature depending on yourroutine.
• Remote Access: You can control your smart thermostat with an app. This allows you to control the temperature and operation of your HVAC system no matter where you are.
• Learning Capabilities: Some programmable and smart thermostats use advanced learning algorithms to analyze usage patterns and adjust settings automatically, leading to a more energy-efficient unit.
• Energy Usage Insights: Smart thermostats offer detailed energy usage reports, enabling you to track HVAC consumption and identify efficiency opportunities, allowing you to adjust accordingly.

Invest in Regular AC Maintenance

One of the best ways to lower energy bills with your AC is to have your unit serviced by professional technicians every year. If you’re wondering why your AC is using so much power, it may need some simple tune-up services.

Skipping regular maintenance for your AC unit can increase your electricity bills. Components can break, connections can become loose, and there is most likely dust, dirt, and other debris building up in your air filters and air ducts.

Having a professional technician service your air conditioner will:

• Improve Energy Efficiency: Regular AC maintenance ensures that your system operates efficiently, reducing energy consumption and lowering utility bills.
• Extend Unit Lifespan: Routine maintenance helps extend the lifespan of your AC unit by addressing wear and tear and performing necessary repairs, saving you money on premature replacements.
• Enhance Cooling Performance: Proper maintenance keeps your AC system running smoothly, ensuring consistent and effective cooling throughout your home.
• Improve Indoor Air Quality: Regular maintenance includes cleaning or replacing air filters to remove dust, allergens, and pollutants from the air, making your home safer.
• Prevent Costly Repairs: Routine maintenance allows HVAC technicians to identify and fix any minor issues before they escalate into major, costly repairs, saving you both time and money in the long run.
• Comply With Your Warranty: Many AC manufacturers require proof of regular maintenance to uphold warranty coverage. By scheduling routine maintenance, you ensure compliance with warranty terms and avoid potential disputes over coverage for repairs or replacements.

Other Factors That Can Cause Your Home AC Energy Bill to Increase

Other factors may be making your AC unit exert more effort than usual. For example, your home’s interiors may be contributing to the high temperature. If there are rooms full of dark colors, they are likely to attract and absorb heat. This can be true for your walls, curtains, and even furniture.

Having a lot of objects at home also makes your space feel stuffier. These factors might be unavoidable, but they are worth considering if you want to lower your AC bills. Speak with an experienced HVAC technician who can help you maximize your cooling system’s performance.

Home Comfort Experts provides holistic air conditioning services in Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan. Whether you want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient air conditioner or you need thorough maintenance services, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our skilled AC technicians.