Every time you get an electric bill in the mail, you expect to see an expense within the normal range – maybe a few extra dollars more or less. But when you open the bill and see a much higher cost, it’s a tough pill to swallow.

Yikes! Paying your bills is bad enough. Having to pay more than expected just adds salt to the wound. This difference between what you normally pay and the hefty bill you’re looking at naturally causes you to wonder, ““Why is my electricity bill so high?”

Here, we’re going to take the mystery out of astronomical electric bills to help you save money on your heating and cooling needs.

Why is my electricity bill so high?

Heating and cooling needs account for 51% of the average home’s total energy consumption, making it one of the most expensive utilities. During the coolest and hottest periods of the year, you can expect to see a slight hike in your energy bill as your HVAC system is working harder than usual to make your home comfortable despite the extreme weather conditions outside.

These factors partially explain why electricity bills are higher compared to other utility expenses, but they still don’t shed any light on the higher-than-expected bills Boston homeowners come across seemingly out of the blue. Typically, these price spikes are a result of age, condition, or unit-related inefficiencies. Identifying and solving these issues early on can help reduce the chances of surprise energy bills.

HVAC issues that could cause higher energy bills.

Leaky ductwork.

Ironically, one of the major flaws of standard, ducted HVAC systems is the ductwork itself. Over time, ductwork becomes increasingly less efficient at transferring conditioned or heated air throughout your home.

Loose connections, slight cracks, and other common wear and tear leads to some costly inefficiency. In fact, anywhere between 20% and 30% of the air moving through a traditional HVAC system is lost through the ductwork, resulting in higher-than-necessary electric bills.

Outdated system.

If you’ve been living in your home for decades with the same system or you’ve recently moved into a home without considering the age of its HVAC set up, you might be dealing with an outdated system. Standard centralized units are designed to last for 15 to 20 years when cared for properly, although many fall short of this milestone.

You can expect these systems to run more inefficiently as they age which leads to higher energy costs. And as HVAC technology continues to improve, older systems cost Boston homeowners more and more in potential savings every year.

Limited capacity.

If you have an older, centralized HVAC system, it might not have the capacity to handle your home’s heating and cooling needs. Whether your family has grown, you’ve added more rooms to your home, or seasonal temperatures have become more extreme, your home’s temperature-control requirements could have easily changed since your HVAC system was originally installed.

When your heating and cooling system isn’t updated to accommodate these new demands, it can result in unexpectedly high utility costs as the system is forced to work outside of its abilities. Instead of being able to shut off when reaching your set temperature, a unit that’s too small will run constantly as it doesn’t have the capacity to heat or cool your home properly.

How a ductless HVAC system can reduce your energy bills.

If you’re tired of being surprised by high electric bills, it might be time to switch to a ductless HVAC system. Here are some ways these advanced heating and cooling options can help you save money on your monthly utility costs:

Zoned heating and cooling.

The main difference between traditional, centralized HVAC systems and their ductless counterparts is the way these units heat and cool homes. Instead of forcing Boston homeowners to set their entire home to a single temperature, ductless mini-splits make it possible to control the temperature in each room separately through a process known as zoned heating and cooling. This increased flexibility can reduce wasted energy costs while improving your home’s comfort.

Improved energy efficiency.

Another major source of savings offered by ductless HVAC systems is their superior energy efficiency. When compared to central systems, mini-splits use significantly less energy to keep your home at your desired temperature. With no ductwork, these systems prevent any air from escaping which limits the amount of energy required to run effectively. If you want to maximize your home’s energy efficiency, you can add a smart thermostat to your ductless system to automatically switch it on and off when needed.

If you’re interested in reducing your energy costs while improving your home’s comfort, a ductless HVAC system is the best choice. At New England Ductless, we’ve been helping Boston homeowners make the switch to ductless mini-splits for years. We’d be happy to help you make the most of this advanced heating and cooling technology. Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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