5 Reasons Why Your Energy Bill Is So High (And Fixes You Can Try)

Spending so much money to keep your home comfortable can be demoralizing. It can feel like you're being forced into a poor financial position just to live. While you have no control over certain aspects of energy costs, some energy efficiency upgrades can be made. Let's address some things that may be causing a high energy bill that you can fix to regain some control over your finances.

South Central Services has worked in the trades for nearly a decade. We started installing insulation because we recognized our customers' frustrations with their energy bills. Besides installing spray foam insulation, we also discuss with customers how they might lower their energy bills.

By the end of this article, you will know five reasons why your energy bill may be high and how to address these issues.

Don't have time to read right now? Check out everything you need to know at a glance.

1. Inefficient Appliances

Old appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, ovens, refrigerators, clothes dryers, and freezers often use energy inefficiently. Whether these machines use electricity constantly at an inefficient rate or sap energy during use, inefficient appliances can have a negative impact on your energy bills.

How to Fix Inefficient Appliances

You can replace your appliances with ENERGY STAR® appliances. If that's out of budget, try only running your appliances when they are at max capacity. Run the dishwasher when you can't fit another dish inside, or wait to do laundry until the machine is quite full. Consider air drying your clothes instead of using the dryer.

2. Using Peak Power

Peak power hours are when the greatest amount of people use the most power. For those who work outside the home, peak power hours are when the majority return to their homes in the evenings.

If your energy bills are on a time-of-use (TOU) plan, you will be charged more for using power when everyone else is also using power. In most cases, customers opt into TOU plans. If you aren’t sure how you’re being charged for electricity, contact your power company.

How to Fix Peak Power Usage

Limiting your electricity usage during these peak windows of time can save money on your energy bills. An example is charging your devices in the early morning or late evening. You can also run certain appliances outside of these peak power hours. The Department of Energy recommends measures like pre-cooling your home so you do not run cooling equipment during the time with the highest demand.

3. Inefficient HVAC

HVAC systems do not last forever. The lifespan of HVAC equipment can be shortened by repetitive heating and cooling cycles and frequently resetting the thermostat. HVAC systems are also not all created equally. Some portion of your system may be older, outdated, or need to be replaced.

How to Fix An Inefficient HVAC

A contractor can replace parts or install a new HVAC system. You can also invest in a smart thermostat which will program your HVAC to run smarter. Knowing whether your HVAC system needs cleaning, maintenance, or replacement is difficult to determine as a homeowner. We recommend connecting with a professional contractor who handles these concerns on a daily basis.

4. Leaving Things Plugged In or Turned On

Do you often leave your laptop plugged in, even when fully charged? Are your game consoles plugged into the wall and at the ready, even though you only play twice a week? Many devices we leave plugged in can drain power and raise our energy bills. Unplug things when they are not in use. You can also invest in power or surge protector strips to unplug many things at once.

When you leave a room, do you turn off the light? Is the TV still playing when you leave the house? Leaving lights and devices powered on when not using them can also raise energy costs. If you leave a room and do not plan to return within ten minutes, turning off any electronics in that room will help to save money on your energy bills.

5. Lack of Insulation

If your home is not properly insulated, the conditioned air you pay for does not stay within the walls of your house. The temperature outside the home directly influences the temperatures inside, leading to energy waste.

How to Fix Lack of Insulation

We recommend having a home energy audit to determine where your home most needs insulation. Professionals visit your home to determine which areas of your home would offer the greatest ROI to upgrade.

If you cannot find a home energy auditor, your attic is the first place to insulate. Nine out of ten homeowners we speak with need more attic insulation. The odds are that you do as well.

Attic insulation is often considered a do-it-yourself type of project. There are lots of options to choose from depending on your budget and expected performance. If your goal is to save money on energy bills, the best choice is to hire a professional contractor. Working with a professional will ensure that your insulation is installed effectively. We recommend spray foam insulation in attics for the insulating value and the air-sealing technology.

The Bottom Line About Lowering Your Energy Bills

The cost of energy is not something you can control. However, you do have control over your habits and how your home functions. Whether you adjust your routines to use energy more efficiently or invest in home improvement upgrades, you can lower your energy bill.

Now that you know some methods to lower your energy bills, your next step is to:

• Discover energy rebates available in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia
• Learn how much money you can save on an insulation upgrade with a federal tax credit
• See more in-depth recommendations for energy conservation in your home