Why is my energy bill so high in summer?

How AC problems show up on the bill

Air conditioning is typically the largest single electricity load in a summer household, so anything that stretches runtime stretches the bill. A coil matted with dirt sheds heat poorly, a system low on refrigerant moves less heat per hour, and ducts leaking into a hot attic can dump a meaningful share of cooled air before it ever reaches a room. The AC compensates the only way it can: running longer.

Checks a homeowner can do safely

• ✓Replace the air filter if it looks gray or loaded with dust
• ✓Rinse leaves and debris off the outdoor unit's fins with gentle hose pressure, power off first
• ✓Feel supply vents — weak or barely cool airflow suggests a system problem
• ✓Look for crushed, disconnected, or sweating ducts in attics and basements
• ✓Compare this summer's kilowatt-hours to last summer's on your utility bill, not just dollars, since rates change
• ✓Set a consistent thermostat schedule instead of large manual swings

When the equipment itself is the issue

If the AC runs nearly nonstop on hot afternoons, ices over, or cools some rooms but not others, a technician should test refrigerant charge, electrical components, and airflow. Systems past 12 to 15 years often run at a fraction of modern SEER efficiency, and at some point a high-efficiency replacement beats repeated repairs.

Getting it sorted

A tune-up or repair visit can usually identify exactly where the wasted runtime is going. Whatever the season throws at your system, PJ MAC HVAC is on call day and night to keep cooling costs from running away.