Why is my Electric Bill so High?

A high electricity bill is always an unpleasant surprise. You allocate a specific budget to the utility expenses only to find out that it’s not close to being enough.

Sometimes, higher electricity consumption could be a natural response to seasonal changes. In other cases, it could signal a technical problem that requires immediate attention.

In any case, a higher-than-usual electricity bill is a cause for concern. If you are wondering why your electric bill is so high, you need to do some investigating. Let’s take a closer look at the possible reasons for excessive amounts.

Common Causes for an Increased Electric Bill

Some of the not-so-obvious but fairly common causes of high electric bills are:

Old or Inefficient Appliances

Older appliances use more energy than modern, energy-efficient models. If your fridge or dishwasher is older than 10 – 15 years, they might be working harder and using more electricity than necessary.

Leaving Electronics Plugged In

Many devices, such as TVs and gaming consoles, continue to draw power even when turned off. This is called phantom energy or standby power, and it adds up over time. Research shows that 5%-10% of your electric bill goes to standby appliances.

Poor Insulation 

If your home isn’t properly insulated, hot or cold air escapes easily, forcing your HVAC system to work harder. The easiest way to identify this issue is to check for drafts around windows and doors.

Increased Use of Heating or Cooling

Extreme weather conditions can cause a spike in electricity use. Running your air conditioner all summer or keeping the heat cranked up in winter leads to higher energy consumption. Seasonal changes are a natural reason why your light bill is so high.

Inefficient Lighting

Traditional incandescent bulbs use a lot of energy and need to be replaced more often. If you haven’t switched to LED bulbs yet, you could be using too much electricity.

A Faulty Electrical System

Old wiring or outdated electrical panels can lead to energy inefficiency. If you notice flickering lights, frequently tripped breakers, or buzzing sounds, you may need an electrician to check your system.

Why Your Heat Pump Could Be Behind a High Electric Bill

Another reason why your electric bill may be so high is a malfunctioning heat pump. When a heat pump isn’t working properly, it struggles to maintain the right temperature. In some cases, it switches to emergency electric heating, which can send your bill skyrocketing to as high as $500 every month.

Common heat pump issues to watch out for are:

• Old or Poor-Quality Equipment: An aging or low-quality heat pump may run constantly and use far more energy than necessary.
• Thermostat Problems: Even smart thermostats can make mistakes. If they aren’t set correctly, they might cause the heat pump to work harder than needed.
• Malfunctioning Heat Pump: If the heat pump isn’t running, your system will switch to expensive electric heating instead.

If you suspect a heat pump issue, the first step is to adjust the thermostat settings. If that doesn’t help, step outside and listen to the unit. If you don’t hear it running, it’s time to get professional assistance.

What to Do

If your electric bill is unexpectedly high, you need to identify the cause as soon as possible. Sometimes, a simple thermostat tweak or an LED lightbulb could get the job done. In other cases, you need a professional to identify the problem.

Contact Herrmann Services Today

If you suspect that your HVAC system could be causing the electric bill spike, you need to speak to a professional. At Herrman Services, we can help you identify the problem and offer the most effective and budget-friendly solution.

Call us to discuss your options today.

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