A higher summer electric bill does not automatically mean your air
conditioner is failing. If you want to lower an AC bill in Roseville or
Lincoln, it helps to first identify why it changed. Long, hot periods
can make a normally operating system run more often. Billing days,
thermostat settings, occupancy, utility rates and other large electrical
loads can also change the total.
At the same time, a sudden increase in runtime or energy use can be
an early sign of restricted airflow, duct leakage, dirty equipment, an
electrical problem or a cooling system that is no longer performing
normally.
The best first step is to separate a normal seasonal increase from a
new comfort or equipment problem.
Compare energy
use, not only the dollar amount
Start with the kilowatt-hours, or kWh, shown on the bill. Compare
that use with the same period last year when possible, then check the
number of days in each billing cycle.
Ask what changed inside the home:
- Was the thermostat set lower this summer?
- Were more people home during the day?
- Did a new pool pump, electric vehicle, refrigerator or other large
load begin operating? - Were blinds left open during the hottest part of the afternoon?
- Did the air conditioner begin running longer without improving
comfort?
A higher dollar total alone cannot diagnose the air conditioner.
Rates and billing structures can change. Actual energy use and changes
in system behavior provide better clues.
Roseville
and Lincoln have different utility details
Local energy advice should match the utility and rate plan shown on
your bill.
| Area | What homeowners should know |
|---|---|
| Roseville | Roseville Electric identifies 4 p.m. through 9 p.m. as peak demand hours. Its current guidance recommends moving major appliance use outside that period and using a thermostat setting of 78 degrees or higher during peak alerts if health permits. |
| Lincoln | Lincoln customers should check the utility and rate plan printed on their bill. Pioneer Community Energy procures electricity for participating customers while PG&E continues delivery, maintenance and billing. Peak periods and pricing should be confirmed on the customer’s own plan. |
Roseville Electric’s recommendation is not a mandatory or medically
appropriate temperature for every household. Infants, older adults and
people with health conditions may need a cooler environment. Safety
comes before energy savings.
See Roseville
Electric’s current peak demand guidance and Pioneer Community Energy
information for current program details.
Reduce the heat entering the
home
The easiest cooling load is the heat that never enters the house.
Close blinds or curtains on windows receiving strong afternoon sun.
Keep exterior doors closed, seal obvious gaps around windows and doors
and avoid using the oven or clothes dryer during the hottest part of the
day when practical.
Ceiling or portable fans can improve comfort in occupied rooms,
allowing some people to use a higher thermostat setting. Turn fans off
when the room is empty because fans cool people, not the building
itself.
A programmable or smart thermostat can help maintain a consistent
schedule. Large changes and aggressive setbacks are not automatically
cheaper. The best schedule depends on the home, equipment and utility
rate plan.
Protect airflow through
the HVAC system
Restricted airflow can increase runtime and reduce comfort.
Homeowners can safely check several basics without opening equipment
panels.
Inspect the correct air
filter
Check the filter regularly and replace it when it is dirty. Use the
size and type appropriate for the system. The highest rated filter is
not automatically the best choice because some systems cannot handle the
additional airflow resistance.
Filter life varies with runtime, pets, smoke, dust and filter design.
There is no single replacement schedule that fits every home.
Keep supply and return vents
open
Furniture, rugs and stored items should not block return grilles or
supply registers. Closing several vents does not reduce the equipment’s
capacity. It can increase duct pressure and make an existing airflow
problem worse.
Keep the outdoor unit
accessible
Remove loose leaves and vegetation that obstruct airflow around the
condenser. Do not open electrical panels, reach through the fan guard or
pressure wash the equipment. Coil cleaning and electrical work should be
performed with the correct procedures and power controls.
When higher
energy use may indicate an AC problem
Longer runtime during extreme heat can be normal. A new change in
performance deserves more attention, especially when several symptoms
appear together.
Call for diagnosis if you notice:
- The home no longer reaches the thermostat setting under conditions
it handled before - Airflow from the vents has become weak
- Some rooms are suddenly much warmer than others
- The system starts and stops repeatedly
- The vents blow warm or room temperature air
- Ice forms on a refrigerant line or indoor coil
- Water appears near the furnace or air handler
- The outdoor unit makes a new grinding, buzzing or rattling
sound - A burning smell or electrical odor is present
- The breaker trips more than once
If the breaker trips again after one reset, leave the system off.
Repeated resets can be unsafe and will not correct the cause.
For local service information, visit our Roseville
HVAC service page or Lincoln HVAC
service page.
Ducts and the
building can raise cooling costs
The air conditioner is only one part of the comfort system. Ducts in
a hot attic can lose conditioned air through disconnected joints, holes
or damaged insulation. Insufficient attic insulation, air leakage and
sunny windows can also increase the cooling load.
ENERGY STAR notes that duct leakage is common in homes, but a
national estimate does not diagnose an individual property. Duct
condition should be tested or inspected before assuming it is the source
of a high bill.
A larger air conditioner is not an automatic solution. Oversizing can
create short cycles, humidity and comfort problems while leaving the
original duct or building issue unresolved.
Learn more from ENERGY
STAR’s duct sealing guidance.
What an HVAC evaluation
should check
When runtime, energy use or comfort has changed, a professional
evaluation may include:
- Thermostat operation and temperature readings
- Filter condition and total airflow
- Blower performance and duct pressure
- Indoor and outdoor coil condition
- Condensate drainage
- Electrical components and motor operation
- Supply and return duct condition
- Refrigerant performance when testing indicates it is relevant
- Equipment capacity compared with the home and duct system
Refrigerant is not a product a sealed system routinely consumes. If a
system is low, the reason should be evaluated rather than assuming it
only needs a seasonal refill.
ENERGY STAR also recommends a cooling system check before the season,
with attention to controls, electrical components, drainage, coils,
refrigerant, blower operation and airflow. Review its HVAC
maintenance checklist.
Heat safety comes first
Do not sacrifice health to meet a suggested thermostat number. If
indoor heat is affecting an infant, older adult or anyone with a medical
condition, move to a safe, cooler location while the cooling problem is
addressed. Call emergency services in a life threatening situation.
The City of Roseville publishes summer
heat and cooling location information for dangerous heat
conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Does a high
electric bill mean my AC is failing?
No. Weather, rates, billing days, thermostat settings, occupancy and
other electrical loads can raise the bill. A sudden increase combined
with longer runtime, weak airflow or reduced cooling is a stronger
reason to schedule diagnosis.
Can a dirty filter
increase cooling costs?
A dirty filter can restrict airflow, increase runtime and reduce
comfort. Replace it when needed with the correct size and a filter type
the system can handle.
Should
every home use a 78 degree thermostat setting?
No. Roseville Electric recommends 78 degrees or higher during peak
periods if health permits, but comfort and medical needs vary. The most
appropriate setting depends on the occupants, home, equipment and
utility rate plan.
Should I close vents in
unused rooms?
Closing several vents can increase duct pressure and reduce system
airflow. It is better to have an airflow or comfort problem evaluated
than to use closed vents as a permanent solution.
When should I request AC
diagnostics?
Request service when the system develops a new performance change,
cannot maintain comfort, has weak airflow, short cycles, ice, water,
unusual noise, odors or repeated breaker trips.
Request AC service
in Roseville or Lincoln
Fusion Heating & Cooling provides residential and commercial HVAC
diagnostics, repair and replacement service in Roseville, Lincoln and
nearby communities, subject to current scheduling.
If your AC runtime or energy use changed and the system is no longer
cooling normally, call 916.666.0074 or request service online to
check current scheduling.
Fusion is a licensed and insured California HVAC contractor. CA
License #1106251.