Key takeaways:
- For Middle Tennessee households, it’s not unusual to get higher energy bills in May.
- This can be due to alternating between heating and cooling, but something more might be going on.
- We recommend doing some preventive home maintenance in May to avoid costly repairs later.
The month of May comes with mild weather in Middle Tennessee. So why are your energy bills going up?
Getting hit with higher electricity and gas bills in May happens more than you might think. We explain why and go over some energy-saving options in Tennessee.
May Is When You Shift From Heating to Cooling
Temperatures (and humidity levels) can change drastically in May. You might have a cold and rainy day immediately followed by some warm weather, which means you’re rapidly cycling between using your furnace and turning your AC on.
A few things can happen as you go from heating to cooling:
- Your AC and your furnace are the two appliances that use the most energy in your home. Running both in a month adds to your bills.
- Your air conditioning system has been sitting idle all winter. It might have developed a few issues that affect performance, which can make energy usage go up.
- When the weather changes rapidly, you’re more likely to run short cycles, both for your furnace and AC. It’s not very energy efficient.
- Your thermostat might lose its calibration as temperatures change, which can cause more AC usage than necessary.
While you can’t control changes in weather or humidity levels, you can schedule an HVAC tune-up and catch performance issues before they affect your energy bills.
How Longer Days and Nicer Weather Affect Energy Usage
Your heating and cooling needs aren’t the only things causing higher energy bills in May. With the days getting longer, you’re more likely to be up late, which can mean using more energy for lighting and devices.
Warm weather makes getting together with friends a lot more pleasant. You might be cooking more than usual and using your outdoor lighting more.
Lastly, May is the right time to start preparing your garden for the spring, and yard work means using more water between watering and cleaning up.
All these changes in habits can add up and increase your bills, especially if there are small issues like ineffective electrical systems or slow leaks in your plumbing.
Your Energy Saving Options in Tennessee: How Prevention Can Keep Your Bills Down
What’s the best way to keep energy costs down as the seasons change? We recommend focusing on prevention and maintenance.
Well-maintained systems are a lot more energy efficient. You’ll still see some seasonal changes due to your family using more or less energy, but you won’t have any bad surprises.
Here’s what we recommend:
- Schedule an HVAC tune-up before the summer months. An AC tech will do a thorough walk-through of your system and check for issues affecting performance.
- You can do some AC maintenance yourself: Keep your outdoor unit clean from vegetation and change your AC filter every three months.
- Air leaks and insulation gaps can cause high energy bills, especially as you switch to AC. If you have an older home, look into thermal imagery to spot these leaks and gaps.
- If you notice your water bills going up or have an old plumbing system, flushing your water heater and scheduling a plumbing inspection can prevent costly issues.
- The same is true for electrical issues. If electricity bills are up or you notice signs like flickering lights, tripped breakers or warm outlets, it’s time to schedule an electrical inspection.
If your energy bills go up in May, the problem will only get worse once summer weather hits. Being proactive now can prevent higher bills this summer, as well as costly equipment failures.
Preventive Home Maintenance With Airstream
Airstream is a local home service business that offers electrical, plumbing and HVAC services in Middle Tennessee. We know how changes in temperatures and humidity levels can affect your systems in the spring, and we’re here to catch issues early.
From thermal imaging to HVAC tune-ups, we offer all the services you need for preventive home maintenance. Give us a call at 615-413-8461 or schedule your service online.
FAQ
I live in Tennessee, why does my energy bill increase in May if the weather is still mild?
May brings fluctuating temperatures and rising humidity in Middle Tennessee, which often leads to switching between heating and cooling. Running both systems can drive up energy usage even if outdoor temperatures feel comfortable.
How does humidity affect my energy bill?
High humidity makes your home feel warmer than it actually is, causing your AC to run longer and work harder. This added strain increases energy consumption even if temperatures aren’t at their peak yet.
How can an HVAC system that sits idle all winter cause higher bills?
Dust buildup, clogged filters, or minor mechanical issues can reduce efficiency when you first start using your AC again, leading to higher energy use.
When should I schedule HVAC maintenance in Tennessee?
Spring is ideal. Scheduling service in May helps ensure your system is running efficiently before peak summer demand hits.
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