--- title: 5 Reasons Why Your Energy Bill Is So High (And Fixes You Can Try) description: Looking for ways to reduce your energy bills and regain some financial stability? Learn the top 5 causes of energy inefficiency and how to fix them. image: https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/Why%20Is%20My%20Energy%20Bill%20So%20High.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://scsfoam.com/blog/why-is-my-energy-bill-so-high#maincontent) [(717) 895-3498](tel:7178953498) [![South Central Services Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/branding/Website%20Logo%20Classic.png?width=900&height=300&name=Website%20Logo%20Classic.png) ![South Central Services Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/branding/Website%20Logo%20White.png?width=900&height=300&name=Website%20Logo%20White.png)](https://scsfoam.com/) [Our Service Areas](https://scsfoam.com/our-services-areas) Pricing - [Our Rates](https://scsfoam.com/our-rates) - [Calculators](https://scsfoam.com/pricing-calculators) - [Financing](https://scsfoam.com/financing-options/) - [Rebates](https://scsfoam.com/rebates) [Our Team](https://scsfoam.com/our-team) Services - Residential Insulation - [Attic Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/attic-insulation) - [Basement Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/basement-insulation) - [Crawl Space Repair](https://scsfoam.com/crawl-space-encapsulation) - [Commercial Spray Foam](https://scsfoam.com/commercial-spray-foam/) - [New Construction Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/new-home-construction-insulation/) - [Pole Building Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/pole-building-insulation) - [Air-Sealing](https://scsfoam.com/air-sealing) - [Blower Door Tests](https://scsfoam.com/blower-door-tests) [Our Products](https://scsfoam.com/our-products) Learning Center - [Learning Center](https://scsfoam.com/learning-center) - [Downloadable Resources](https://scsfoam.com/downloadable-resources) - [FAQ](https://scsfoam.com/faq/) Open Search [Get A Quote](https://scsfoam.com/contact/) Search for topics or resources Enter your search below and hit enter or click the search icon. 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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](https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/At%20A%20Glance/Why%20Your%20Energy%20Bill%20May%20Be%20High.pdf). ## 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. ![Stainless Steel Appliance](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/appliance.jpg?width=599&height=400&name=appliance.jpg) ### How to Fix Inefficient Appliances You can replace your appliances with [ENERGY STAR® appliances](https://www.energystar.gov/products/products_list). 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. ![Power Lines Against A Blue Sky](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/peak%20power.jpg?width=600&height=400&name=peak%20power.jpg) ### 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](https://www.energystar.gov/products/ask-the-experts/how-to-save-electricity-during-peak-demand-conditions) 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. ![Outdoor HVAC System](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/hvac.jpg?width=684&height=400&name=hvac.jpg) ### 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](https://www.energystar.gov/products/smart_thermostats) 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](https://scsfoam.com/blog/best-hvac-contractors-near-franklin-county-pa) 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. ![Room with a lamp turned on](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/tv%20and%20lamp.jpg?width=600&height=400&name=tv%20and%20lamp.jpg) 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. ![Cellulose Attic Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cellulose%20Attic%20Insulation.jpg?width=600&height=400&name=Cellulose%20Attic%20Insulation.jpg) ### How to Fix Lack of Insulation We recommend having a [home energy audit](https://scsfoam.com/blog/do-i-need-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. [via GIPHY](https://giphy.com/gifs/spray-foam-insulation-open-cell-contractor-N4HNcVmKDS6Sbj5RGW) Attic insulation is often considered a do-it-yourself type of project. There are [lots of options to choose from](https://scsfoam.com/blog/best-attic-insulations) 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](https://scsfoam.com/blog/spray-foam-attic-insulation-how-to) for the insulating value and the [air-sealing technology](https://scsfoam.com/blog/why-is-air-sealing-a-home-important). ## 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](https://scsfoam.com/rebates) - [Learn how much money you can save on an insulation upgrade with a federal tax credit](https://scsfoam.com/blog/tax-incentives-for-spray-foam) - [See more in-depth recommendations for energy conservation in your home](https://scsfoam.com/blog/how-to-save-energy-home) [![Schedule My Free Site Visit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/39735758/interactive-125782798849.png)](https://scsfoam.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLSlO8QZQwFXnPx9wS4lQNL9qzHbXmm4ryiOGsji9o3hrq9k4utXhx0pXIuLejzTx3wruZxf8kVuAzvysUQ51v5NfnMsz9qQ3iVg9G85NtQmaJtEcc8LvAI3WEGXFWkzbKnuquuAcYebOrzfb2CcPFjALXyj7umnLgVsw9ELfU%3D&webInteractiveContentId=125782798849&portalId=39735758) *Disclaimer: While we strive to publish information accurate to building science, local building codes and standards supersede our recommendations.* [Kilian Agha](https://scsfoam.com/blog/author/kilian-agha) Kilian has co-owned and operated South Central Services for 8 years. He is passionate about community involvement. In his spare time, he enjoys being with his family, playing ice hockey, and going fishing with friends. Topics: [Fundamentals](https://scsfoam.com/blog/topic/fundamentals) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles ### [16 Terms To Know When Insulating Your Basement June 13th, 2025|4 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/terms-to-know-when-insulating-a-basement) ### [25 Terms To Know When Insulating A New Home May 21st, 2025|6 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/terms-to-know-when-insulating-a-new-home) ### [Why Does Spray Foam Turn Yellow Over Time? January 15th, 2025|2 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/why-does-spray-foam-insulation-turn-yellow-over-time) ### [Why Is Spray Foam A Good Insulator? December 11th, 2024|4 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/why-spray-foam-is-a-good-insulator) ### [What Does A Blower Door Test Do? 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August 11th, 2023|6 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/what-is-spray-foam-insulation) Location 1574 Buchanan Trail East, Greencastle, PA 17225 Phone: [(717) 895-3498](tel:7178953498) Connect With Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/p/South-Central-Services-Insulation-100057064885687/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/scsfoam/) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@scsfoam) - [info@scsfoam.com](mailto:info@scsfoam.com) Services - [Attic Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/attic-insulation) - [Basement Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/basement-insulation) - [Crawl Space Repair](https://scsfoam.com/crawl-space-encapsulation) - [Commercial Spray Foam](https://scsfoam.com/commercial-spray-foam/) - [New Home Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/new-home-construction-insulation/) - [Pole Building Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/pole-building-insulation) - [Air-Sealing](https://scsfoam.com/air-sealing) - [Blower Door Tests](https://scsfoam.com/blower-door-tests) Pricing Information - [Our Rates](https://scsfoam.com/our-rates) - [Calculators](https://scsfoam.com/pricing-calculators) - [Financing Options](https://scsfoam.com/financing-options/) - [Rebate Information](https://scsfoam.com/rebates) - [Pricing Articles](https://scsfoam.com/blog/tag/product-pricing) Proud Member of Cumberland Valley Business Alliance     Company - [Our Service Areas](https://scsfoam.com/our-services-areas) - [Our Products](https://scsfoam.com/our-products) - [Our Team](https://scsfoam.com/our-team) - [Contact Us](https://scsfoam.com/contact/) - [Join Our Team](https://scsfoam.com/our-team#hiring) - [Privacy Policy](https://scsfoam.com/privacy-policy) Learn More - [FAQ](https://scsfoam.com/faq/) - [Learning Center](https://scsfoam.com/learning-center) - [Downloadable Resources](https://scsfoam.com/downloadable-resources) © 2026 South Central Services All Rights Reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kilian Agha", "url" : "https://scsfoam.com/blog/author/kilian-agha" }, "dateModified" : "2025-03-05T21:33:00.777Z", "datePublished" : "2023-10-04T16:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "5 Reasons Why Your Energy Bill Is So High (And Fixes You Can Try)", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://scsfoam.com/blog/why-is-my-energy-bill-so-high", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/branding/SCS-Updated-Logo_Horizontal-2048x397.png" }, "name" : "South Central Services" } } ```