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Why Is My Power Bill So High? 5 Reasons and How to Fix It
Learn what’s behind a sudden spike in energy costs
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Get quotes from electricians near you
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Older, energy-inefficient appliances are one of the main reasons your power bill is so high, especially aging fridges, freezers, and water heaters.
Heating and cooling overuse drives up electric bills when air leaks, poor insulation, or lack of window coverings force your system to work harder.
Review your bill carefully to confirm rate changes, as pricing tiers based on usage and time of day can increase without warning.
Hiring a local electrical professional provides guidance on appliance repairs and energy audits, helping you identify power drains and reduce your monthly costs.
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1. Your Rates Changed
The average electric bill is around $140 per month. What’s more important than this figure, however, is what your average is per month. If you notice a spike in the wrong direction, you need to make sure your power company didn’t pull a fast one on you by raising your rates. Remember that there are usually pricing tiers based on your total usage and the time of day. Any of them can change, and usually not to your benefit.
How to Fix It
Review bills and compare your charges to make sure your rates are the same as they used to be.
If you have the option, get power quotes from other companies. You may be able to negotiate with your current company by letting them know what others are offering.
2. Your Appliances Are Older and Not Energy Efficient
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As appliances get older, they become much less energy-efficient. The worst offenders are aging fridges, chest freezers, heating and air conditioning systems, and electric water heaters. In addition, an appliance in need of repair can sometimes draw more energy than usual.
How to Fix It
If the appliance is damaged, contact an appliance repair pro or a local electrician to fix it, and see if that resolves the power drain.
If the appliance is outdated, replace it with a newer model. Keep in mind there may be rebates and tax credits available for doing so.
3. You’re Blasting the Heat or Air Conditioning
Photo: Kenishirotie / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Air leaks, bad insulation, and lack of window coverings are just a few things that can make your home less energy-efficient, causing you to have to crank up the heat or air conditioning. If your energy bills spike in winter and summer, your heating and cooling usage is very likely to blame.
How to Fix It
Have a pro check your home’s insulation and look for any air leaks. Or book a full home energy audit.
Consider window shades or films that help filter direct sunlight.
Keep up with routine HVAC maintenance so your system is as efficient as possible.
4. Someone Tapped Your Line
This isn’t as common as the other ones, but if you notice a serious bump in your bill, consider your power supply. It isn’t unheard of for ambitious neighbors to tap into their neighbor’s (your) power supply. You can’t usually check this yourself unless there is an obvious cable running to someone else’s property. A pro should come out and check.
How to Fix It
People who steal power are committing a crime, so if you discover this happening, call the police.
5. You’re Not Using Solar or Your Solar Isn’t Functioning Properly
If you live in an area with a lot of sunlight hours per year, you should consider investing in solar panels. There is an initial investment that can be high, but it can also be offset with rebates and tax breaks in many places. If you have a system already installed, consider that it may not be functioning correctly.
How to Fix It
Talk to a local solar pro to discuss options. They will also give you a breakdown of what your new power bill might look like.
If you have an existing solar system, book a professional inspection to make sure it’s working properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Electrical services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.7★ avg. • 107 total reviews
- Jeff B.
Great company! Price was competitive, technician showed up on time and completed the job (exterior electric Radon fan replacement) quickly. Would hire them again.
MaGen Property Inspections and Radon Mitigation - Regina H.
I conferred with 2 other contractors before Armstrong Electric. Nick and his crew showed me that the project was not as convoluted as the other contractors made it appear to be. They completed the entire project on time. They were professional, friendly and cleaned up after at completion. I...
Armstrong Electric LLC - Jeffrey J.
The techs on my project, Shawn and Cliff, were great. They were prompt, courteous, and efficient. I am very happy with the results and would definitely contact Mr. Electric for any future electrical projects.
Mr. Electric of Columbus - William R.
Victor was wonderful. He was on time, professional, and explained everything he was doing. He was thorough and figured out that the problem was electrical instead of with my HVAC system. Very knowledgeable. I will be using this company in the future for any HVAC needs. Thanks!
Hubbs Heating & Air LLC - Jerald W.
They were excellent. They did a great job. I was totally satisfied. They put tremendous effort in making sure the work was completed. They were great. They provided immediate response to any inquires I made. I would hire them again. I would recommend them to anyone who needs electrical work....
Property-Tech Industries, LLC - Paul H.
Initially, the repairman could not find the problem. Apparently, there was some electrical shortage, but he could not find the definite problem. He left, but called back later to say he had a new idea. He returned and replaced the light switches on the doors. The refrigerator seemed to return...
Appliance Pro LLC - Sarah C.
The initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
- Erin W.
I have to tell you I am all about customer service - I will go out of my way and even pay more for it if you give me great customer service. <br> <br>In a world where this is hard to find, these guys were awesome! I can not sing their praises enough. They were prompt, personable, funny, got...
Waibel Electric - Bradley H.
When I challenged the markup on the generator, Bruder Electric withdrew its bid. They only want naïve customers.
- Gregory B.
We had no power to any of the electrical outlets in the MBR. We'd had an intermittent problem for a few years and they finally went out all together. We live on the 3rd floor of a 100 year old building and I know from past experience the wiring has been added to in hodgepodge ways over the...
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