It is believed that the average household in Houston spends almost 1,800 USD$ on electricity bills yearly while using 14,000 kilowatts approximately. Bills also account for nearly 66.2% of the total utility costs and 12.9% of total housing costs. A large part of that is because of ACs that run for seven hours a day on an average basis. While that is great for cooling purposes, it wears down the system eventually and leads to higher bills. In both cases, you should call a 24 hour AC repair Houston that will identify and resolve the issue. You can depend on them to reach you quickly, regardless of whether it is night, weekend, or even a holiday. Despite that, it’s helpful to know what causes your air conditioner to raise your bills and when you should get it checked.
Reasons for Higher Electricity Costs
A Leak in the DuctÂ
A duct is a narrow passage in an air conditioning system that maintains the airflow inside your house and is made of aluminum, galvanized steel, sheet metal, or stainless steel. When there is a leak in the duct system, you will not receive efficient cooling, while the circulated air will have a relatively lower quality. Your bills will increase since you will be running it for long periods to cool your house. Because air ducts can experience wear and tear, it’s advisable to have them checked from time to time by an air conditioning repair service. It will cost you anywhere between 1,000 to 3,000 USD$ to replace ductwork in Houston or Texas.
Dirty Filter
Even though some people may not realize it, the air filter plays a crucial role in your AC. Most of them are made from spun fiberglass material or pleated paper, and their job is to capture the pollutants, particulates, and fungal spores in the air. However, even when they do this, the air’s flow is not constricted in any way. If your filter is not clean, it will keep accumulating dust and restrict the airflow. When that happens, it will take longer to get the cooling you want because of an overheated compressor and motors. Although most people choose to clean the air filter themselves, it’s better to let professionals do it since they will ensure the proper process: vacuuming, soaking, spraying, and drying, is followed.
Low Levels of Refrigerants
A refrigerant is a chemical compound that plays an essential role in the refrigerant cycle and the overall cooling. Most air conditioning systems in Houston use the R-410a or Puron since the earlier R-22 or Freon was banned in 2010 because of its adverse effects on the environment. A refrigerant leak will decrease cooling and make the system work harder, increasing power consumption. Apart from poor cooling, other leakage symptoms include hissing sounds, ice formation on evaporator coils, humid air, and warm air blowing out of vents. You should call an AC repair service immediately in case of a leak since the gas can cause nausea and even asphyxiation.
It’s advisable to call a 24 hour AC repair in Houston service if you notice a sudden increase in your electricity bills or any of the symptoms described above. Life can be difficult without an air conditioner that functions optimally, so you should ensure that it’s checked regularly.