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Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog

Why Higher Monthly Bills Can Signal Air Conditioning Repair Needs

It’s almost summertime, and almost time to start running your air conditioner for the season. If you are like most people, you are probably on a household budget, and have factored in the monthly cost of using your air conditioner during the summer months. But what happens when that bill suddenly jumps? It could be an issue with the power company, but a more likely scenario is that your air conditioner may not be running as well as it could be. We’ve seen this many times at Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing, and here are some examples of air conditioning problems that may run up your energy bill.

  • Decreased air flow – there are a few ways the airflow can decrease in your air conditioning system: a dirty filter, a clogged vent, a broken fan or bent fins on the outdoor unit. Once the air flow in your system decreases, it stresses the entire system, making it work harder to achieve the temperature on the thermostat. Think if you were going out for a jog: what if you had something covering your mouth when you did it? It’s the same with your air conditioner: working harder means that your system has to use more energy to do its job, and you may see that extra cost on your energy bill.
  • Low refrigerant – just as decreased air flow can make your system work harder, so can low refrigerant. Your system requires a set amount of refrigerant to work properly (it is stated in the manufacturer’s handbook). If the refrigerant level is either too high or too low, your system will overwork to compensate for this. Any overworking of your air conditioner can result in it using more power to do its job. If you suspect you have a refrigerant leak, call your Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing specialist. Why? Leaky refrigerant is not a DIY job, and it is something that can get worse with time.
  • Malfunctioning thermostat – your thermostat controls when your air conditioner turns on and off. Should your thermostat malfunction, it may not work as it should, possibly resulting in an inefficient operation.

Not Sure Why Your Bill Is So High? Call Us

A number of factors can contribute to an increase in your utility bill. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you see an unexplained jump in your utility costs this summer, call the experts at Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing and schedule air conditioning repair in Rockville.

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