Air conditioning (AC) is a great way to stay cool during the summer. It can be a nice break from the blazing summer heat to step into a nice, cool house. AC can also help to reduce the humidity in a room, which can be helpful in the summertime.
In the heat of the summer, it’s tempting to crank up the air conditioning to stay cool. But does AC make your electric bill high? Keep reading to find out.
How does air conditioning work?
The basic principle behind air conditioning is to remove heat from a space. This is done by circulating cooled air through the space. The cooled air picks up the heat from the space and the heat is then expelled outdoors.
There are three primary components to an air conditioning system. These are the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. The compressor is responsible for compressing the refrigerant gas. The condenser is where the gas is cooled down and turned into a liquid. The evaporator is where the cooled air is circulated through the space.
This gas is circulated through these three components in a cycle. The gas is compressed in the compressor, cooled in the condenser and turned into a liquid, and then evaporates in the evaporator. This cycle is repeated over and over again to keep the air conditioning system running.
AC can make your electric bill high if there is low refrigerant.
Your AC unit can make your electric bill high if the refrigerant is low. When the refrigerant is low, the AC unit has to work harder to keep your home cool, which can result in a higher electric bill. There are a few reasons why your refrigerant might be low in your AC unit.
One reason might be a leak in the system. If there is a leak, then your refrigerant will slowly escape, and eventually, the system will not be able to cool your home. Another reason might be that the system is not properly charged. If the system is not properly charged, the refrigerant will not be able to do its job properly, and your AC unit will not be able to cool your home.
Make sure to have your AC unit serviced regularly to ensure that the refrigerant is at the correct level and that the unit is running efficiently.
Dirty or clogged air filters can lead to your AC making your bill higher.
Another way your AC unit can make your electric bill high is if the air filters are dirty or clogged. If your air filters are dirty or clogged, your unit will have to work harder to cool your home, which will make your electric bill high.
Dirty air filters can also cause your unit to break down prematurely. So, it’s important to clean or replace your air filters regularly to ensure that your air conditioner runs efficiently.
You should change your air filters roughly every three months to ensure your air conditioner is working efficiently. However, if you have pets, you may need to change your filters more often to account for the additional allergens like pet hair and dander.
A leak in the ductwork can cause your AC to make your energy bill higher.
Your AC could be making your electric bill high for another reason — leaking ductwork. If there is a leak in your air ducts, your air conditioner will have to work harder to keep your home cool, and this will result in a higher electric bill.
If you think that your air conditioner is causing your electric bill to be higher than it should be, you should have a professional inspect your air ducts to see if there is a leak. If there is a leak, it will need to be fixed in order to reduce your electric bill.
Maintain your air conditioner to save money on your energy bill.
A properly functioning air conditioner will not make your energy bill any higher than expected. However, if the refrigerant is low, the filters are dirty, or the ductwork is leaking, your energy bill will rise. So, keep your air conditioner maintained to save money on your electric bill.
