Why Your Summer Electrical Bill Is Spiking — And How to Cut It Fast
When dealing with record-breaking heat in the summer months, it’s tempting to crank the AC to keep your home cool. While this may help to provide you a break from the rising temperatures, it certainly won’t help to keep your electricity costs from spiking.
Large appliances, like AC units, require a tremendous amount of power and are notorious for causing exceedingly expensive utility bills. If you’ve noticed a general climb in your recent payments, we are here to help you better understand why this may be happening, as well as what you can do to lessen the blow each month.
Why Does Your Electric Bill Go Up in Summer?
There are lots of factors that can impact your electricity bill each month. Here are a few of the most prominent reasons you see elevated prices during the summer.
Cooling Costs
In general, the costs associated with cooling and heating units are much higher than other, smaller appliances throughout your home. Since these units require a much higher output of energy for increased periods of time during the summer season, it’s no wonder that air conditioners are the leading cause of raised electricity costs.
Peak Hour Pricing
In some more populated locations around the world, peak-hour pricing may be used to better manage the grid. This pricing model essentially breaks down electricity rates by the hour in which they are being used.
Peak hours are typically the hottest parts of the day when everyone is cranking their AC, and electricity rates are generally higher than in off-peak times.
Longer Days
The sun is out and high in the sky for longer hours during the summer months. Until the fall season rolls around, you’re going to be dealing with hot temperatures for the majority of the day, making it very easy to rely on your air conditioning unit for comfort.
High Demand
Hot temperatures impact everyone, and it is no wonder that there is a notable strain on the grid during these hot months. High demand can increase the prices and availability of electricity, in turn, increasing your monthly costs.
How Can You Save Electricity in Summer?
While increased electricity costs can be frustrating to deal with each summer season, there are many things within your control that can help lessen the blow.
1. Clean and Maintain Your HVAC System
An efficient unit will always run best, so make sure you have your HVAC system professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Cleaning out these units is a surefire way to reduce energy consumption, which will help to lower your cooling costs.
2. Install a Smart Thermostat
One of the worst things you can do is constantly change the temperature your thermostat is set to. Manually adjusting this temperature multiple times throughout the day is a surefire way to notice increased energy rates, but there is a solution:
Installing a smart thermostat works with you to keep your home cool, but it helps to do it in a way that makes the most sense for your air conditioning unit. These thermostats are designed to help your system run more efficiently and raise or lower the temperature as needed to keep your unit from overworking.
EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro 3 offers a backup energy solution to ensure your smart thermostat and AC unit can remain connected to power even if the grid goes dark. These smart solutions require an upfront investment, but they will save you thousands in the long run.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station
3. Get a Home Energy Audit
Some homes may not be running as efficiently as they could be, meaning you’re leaving money on the table each time your air conditioner is turned on. Having a professional come out to do a home energy audit can help you pinpoint the exact locations throughout your home where things are not running as efficiently as they could be.
Addressing these concerns is a quick and easy way to see almost immediate results in a lower energy bill.
4. Go Solar
Another great way to reduce your monthly costs is to opt for more efficient, cleaner energy sources that will lessen your reliance on the traditional grid.
Installing the EcoFlow 175W Rigid Solar Panel is a great first step and offers a reliable and sustainable energy solution to keep your home connected without the risk of an increased monthly bill. This renewable energy source is a one-time investment that can help you enjoy the season without the price spike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Biggest Cause of a High Electric Bill?
Heating and cooling units, such as the fridge, air conditioner, oven, and stove, are typically the culprits when it comes to high electricity bills. These units require a higher output of energy to work and are usually the reason you may notice an increased electricity cost.
What Uses the Most Electricity in the Summer?
In the majority of cases, central AC units use the most electricity during the summer months. These units require vast amounts of energy and account for over 50% of your energy use each month.
High Summer Energy Use Drives Electricity Bills Up
Without proper access to air conditioning, the summer months would be quite miserable. While paying elevated costs may seem unavoidable, there are some things you can do to help lessen the blow each month.
Do you experience frequent blackouts in your area when the grid is under strain? With the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Solar Generator (PV220W), you’ll never have to worry and will have a surefire way to keep your home cool and comfortable in case you lose power.