Why is My Electric Bill So High?

Rising utility rates have many residents in Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland looking for ways to reduce energy use. HVAC offers a prime opportunity to save, accounting for 40-60% of your electric bill. Find out how you can save with these tips on how to lower heating and cooling costs in your Tri-Cities home from the region’s trusted heating and air contractor, ACT Absolute Comfort Technology.

Things you can do to lower HVAC costs at home:

• Improve insulation and seal air leaks to prevent the loss of conditioned air
• Alter thermostat settings based on occupancy and efficiency
• Schedule seasonal maintenance to ensure optimal performance and detect energy-intensive repair issues early
• Address duct damage and leaks promptly to reduce energy loss
• Upgrade old or poorly designed systems to more efficient HVAC technology 

How to Lower Heating and Cooling Costs in Your Tri-Cities Home

Sub-freezing winter temperatures, extremely hot summers, and wild spring and fall temperature swings make maintaining home comfort in the Tri-Cities challenging. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help your heating and cooling equipment handle changing temperatures more easily, reduce system strain, and lower energy costs.

Improve Home Insulation and Seal Air Leaks

Upgrading insulation and sealing leaks helps keep conditioned air inside your home, lowering energy bills in Tri-Cities, WA, by 5-30% per year. Typically, the older your home, the greater the savings. Our local HVAC contractors recommend starting with insulating the attic and walls, then your crawlspace or basement, and finally sealing leaks around outlets, doors, windows, and pipes.

Choose Thermostat Settings to Save Energy 

Keep your thermostat as close to outdoor temperatures as you comfortably can. Bump settings up 4-6°F in the summer and down 7-10°F in the winter while away or asleep to reduce energy use. Maintaining summer settings at 78°F for healthy adults and at 75°F for infants, older adults, and those with health conditions helps ensure safety. Keep temperatures above 60°F in the winter to protect plumbing. Avoid large winter setbacks with heat pump systems to reduce the use of energy-intensive auxiliary/emergency heat. 

Consider a professionally installed smart thermostat that adjusts temperatures based on your schedule to save up to 15% annually. Look for options that support gradual temperature recovery to ensure consistent savings and reduce system strain. Most options can automatically switch between heating and cooling without manual intervention – even if you rely on multiple appliances – making it easier to manage big Tri-Cities temperature swings.  

Don’t Neglect Heating and Air Maintenance Needs

Well-maintained systems don’t have to work as hard or as long to maintain temperature, reducing operating costs. Neglected systems cost 10-15% more to operate annually. Serious repair issues can further inflate energy bills, potentially leading to unexpected breakdowns. Common issues our service team encounters in heat pump systems include dirty air filters, evaporator and condenser coils, thermostat malfunctions, and low refrigerant levels. In furnaces, heat exchanger and exhaust problems can cause performance and safety issues. A seasonal inspection and tuneup ensure your system can handle temperature extremes efficiently.   

Replace or Repair Ductwork

Our HVAC contractors in the Tri-Cities know that ductwork is a prime culprit for energy loss, reducing efficiency by up to 30%. We can address most leaks and poor connections in unconditioned attic and crawl spaces with mastic or foil-backed tape. However, with damaged, poorly designed, or contaminated ductwork, replacement may offer a better investment. 

Upgrade to More Energy Efficient HVAC in the Tri-Cities

Replacing poorly designed and older systems could reduce your energy bill by 20-40%. What do Energy Star-rated HVAC appliances offer that older technology does not?

Furnaces

Today’s energy efficient furnaces offer variable-speed blower motors and modulating or two-stage operation and capture heat from the exhaust, reducing cycling and converting 97% of the fuel into heat.

Heat pumps

Modern heat pumps deliver better low-temperature, cold-season performance and overall seasonal ratings, reducing reliance on costly electric backup heat when properly sized. Optimized heat exchangers, variable speed compressor technology, and demand-based defrost reduce operating costs.

Maximize Home Energy Savings 

Boost system performance and stay comfortable for less with these tips on how to lower heating and cooling costs in your Tri-Cities home from ACT Absolute Comfort Technology. Contact us at 509-388-2997 to schedule a professional AC or furnace inspection in Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, Benton City, Moses Lake, or Ritzville today.