Is your electric bill soaring right along with the temperature? If you don’t know why your electric bill is suddenly so high, then you might be facing an overlooked issue with HVAC efficiency. Living in Florida is great, but it does come with extremely hot and humid summers that can put a strain on your air conditioning and you.
Here are 8 things Florida homeowners tend to overlook:
1. The Age of Your Air Conditioning System
Units typically last about 20 years if looked after properly. However, if your system is 15 years or older, it might be starting to lose HVAC efficiency. On top of that, newer systems are much more streamlined, use safer refrigerants, and often cool more evenly.
While having a system that’s around 20 years old doesn’t necessarily mean you need to buy a new one right away, you should definitely keep an eye on it.
2. Leaky Ducts
As much as 40% of your conditioned air can leak out through your ducts. Ducts may become leaky as they age, or there may be issues that were there right from installation. AEROSEAL treatment can seal those leaks and keep you from cooling your crawlspace or attic. Pests and extreme weather can also potentially damage your ducts. Sealing your ducts also improves indoor air quality by reducing dust pulled into your system.
3. Clogged Filters
This one is less often overlooked, but we can’t talk about it too much. Your air filters should be cleaned and/or changed when your system’s manufacturer recommends, and you may need to change them more often if you have pets. Clogged filters interfere with airflow and force your system to work harder, using more energy.
4. Debris Around Your External Unit
A lot of people forget to take proper care of their external unit. Debris can block airflow or damage the unit. Plants can grow over it, also blocking air flow. Make sure to trim plants back and away from the unit. Check again after a storm or similar weather event, and make sure to cover your unit with a proper guard when a hurricane is expected.
Keep toys, pet toys, and other things away from the unit, too.
5. Poor Insulation
Florida’s humidity can age your insulation quickly, especially in your attic. Check your insulation if bills are drifting up. Bear in mind that insulation works both ways; people tend to check it in the winter but not worry about it in the summer, when it is just as valuable.
6. A Broken Thermostat
Is your thermostat showing the correct temperature? In the worst-case scenario, a broken thermostat can cause your air conditioning system to attempt to duplicate Siberia. This is fairly obvious, but a few degrees off might not be. Your thermostat might also be in the wrong place; a thermostat in direct sunlight will cool your place excessively.
If you have an older thermostat, consider replacing it with a smart thermostat that can be programmed to adjust the temperature when you are away or sleeping, which can save a lot of money.
7. Neglected Maintenance
We’ve already talked about filters, but the lack of maintenance can bleed away HVAC efficiency over time. You can end up spending more. Getting professional maintenance twice a year, specifically in the spring and the fall, can help. Technicians can handle minor repairs, check refrigerant levels, and thoroughly clean your system.
8. The Wrong Size
This is a major problem that happens too often. Your system should be correctly sized for the square footage of your home for better HVAC efficiency. Unfortunately, this may require a new system to fix, but a system that’s too small works too hard to get to the right temperature, wasting energy and increasing wear. On the other hand, one that’s too large will simply use more energy than needed.
This is typically the fault of whoever installed the system, and you may find you have moved into a home that came with this problem.
HVAC Efficiency With Regular Maintenance Through Kabran
If your electric bill is going up more than you expect, just as the temperatures rise in Florida, Kabran can help. Contact us for a system inspection, or a second opinion on recommended repairs, or the size of a new system. We can also handle AEROSEAL, maintenance, or a new or upgraded system to lower your bills and increase your comfort.
