If you are wondering why your electric bill is so high in the summer, you are not alone, and the answer usually comes down to one thing working overtime: your air conditioner. When a Chapel Hill, NC, heat wave settles in, your cooling system runs longer and harder, and that extra runtime shows up on your power bill.
The good news is that most of the reasons behind a summer spike are fixable. Trust the licensed and insured electricians and HVAC experts at Tech-On-Deck Heating, Air & Electric to help you find practical ways to lower your cooling costs and overall electrical use. Here are seven reasons your bill climbs once the temperature does.
Key Points
- Running your air conditioner more during humid Chapel Hill, NC, summers is the leading reason power bills rise.
- Higher seasonal Duke Energy rates and time-of-use pricing can push your costs up beyond your control.
- Older, less efficient cooling equipment and lower thermostat settings quietly increase usage.
- Annual AC maintenance is one of the simplest ways to keep an older system running efficiently.
- Tech-On-Deck is a Trane Comfort Specialist serving Chapel Hill, NC, and the surrounding Triangle.
1. Your Power Usage Climbs in the Summer Heat
It’s normal to have an increased power bill during summer. Temperatures in Chapel Hill, NC, can reach the upper 80s and 90s during the summer months. You’ll naturally run your air conditioner more during this time, which means you’ll use more power and pull more kilowatt-hours from the grid.
Chapel Hill, NC, has a humid subtropical climate during the summer months. Removing humidity from the air in your home requires running the air conditioner more often, even when temperatures are not high. Keeping up with annual AC maintenance service helps your system manage that humidity load without wasting energy.
2. You Pay Higher Electric Rates in Summer in Chapel Hill, NC
Why is my electric bill so high in the summer, and is this something out of my control? Understanding your electric bill also includes understanding the rates you’re paying. The U.S. Department of Energy offers a helpful guide to understanding your utility bill and the charges on it.
Duke Energy serves the power needs of Chapel Hill, NC. It charges a higher rate during summer for some of its customers because of the increased demand for power across the grid. Eligible homeowners may be able to offset some of these costs through the Duke Energy Smart $aver program.
When power companies experience peak demand in the warmer months, they need to generate more power. If they don’t have the capacity to generate it themselves, they need to buy power on the open market, which can be more expensive. Power companies also have higher maintenance costs when generating more power, which they might pass on to customers.
3. You Run Older, Less Efficient Cooling Equipment
Most air conditioners last from 10 to 15 years. Cooling systems near the end of their expected lifespans don’t run as efficiently and use more electricity to deliver the same comfort. Performing annual maintenance on an older air conditioner can make it run more efficiently and cut down on your power bills.
If your system is aging and repairs are adding up, a high-efficiency AC replacement and installation can lower your monthly energy use. As a Trane Comfort Specialist, Tech-On-Deck is factory-trained to size and install systems that match your home and budget.
4. Your Thermostat Is Set at a Lower Temperature
Your thermostat settings play a key role in how much you spend on power to run the air conditioner in summer. When running the air conditioner at a lower temperature setting, you increase your power usage. You might be using more power this summer because you’re running the air conditioner’s thermostat at a lower temperature without realizing it.
5. You Run More Power-Hungry Items
Why is my electric bill so high in the summer, and can I get it to come down? Most people use more power-hungry items during summer, such as fans, dehumidifiers, and a swimming pool pump.
The kids might be at home during school vacation and playing video games or turning down the thermostat when you aren’t home. Higher power bills naturally occur when more people are at home.
6. You Use Power at the Wrong Time of the Day
Some utility companies charge time-of-use (TOU) rates to raise the cost of power during high-demand times of the day. Although it is more common for commercial electric customers to receive increased TOU rates, it can happen to residential customers, too. If you use power during these high-demand times, usually during normal business hours, you may pay more on your electric bill.
7. Electric Rates Increased From Last Year
Electric rates may be simply higher now than they were a year ago. You can look at your current and past bills to see the rate you pay each month.
Annual rate increases are common from Duke Energy or other electric providers. Sometimes, though, electricity rates drop, so comparing rates from year to year by studying your bills is always a good idea when you’re unsure.
How Can Chapel Hill, NC, Homeowners Lower a High Summer Electric Bill?
You can lower a high summer electric bill by scheduling annual AC maintenance, raising your thermostat a few degrees, shifting heavy power use away from peak hours, and replacing aging cooling equipment with a high-efficiency system. Small changes across several of these areas often add up to real savings.
Our Experts Help You Combat a High Electric Bill in Chapel Hill, NC
Why is my electric bill so high in the summer, and what can I do about it? Finding ways to cut the power bill can be difficult on your own. That’s why the experts at Tech-On-Deck Heating, Air & Electric can consult with you to avoid a nasty surprise when you open the electric bill. Homeowners across Chapel Hill, NC, including neighborhoods near the North Carolina Botanical Garden and Homestead Park, trust our team to keep their homes comfortable and efficient.
We proudly serve our Chapel Hill neighbors, and your Chapel Hill air conditioning experts are ready to help you take control of your cooling costs. Want a plan to lower your bill? Contact our team today.