Every summer, homeowners in Suwanee, GA start asking the same question: why is my electric bill so high this month?
Georgia’s long, hot, humid summers make that jump especially noticeable, and many homeowners are about to open their highest bill in memory.
Folks often go looking for comparisons to a friend or neighbor’s bill, but no two homes are alike, even ones that look nearly identical from the street here in Suwanee. So, with some solid building science in mind, let’s bust four of the most common myths behind high electric bills.
Myth 1: I Should Be Able to Compare My Electric Bill to a Friend’s Home of Similar Size
Truth: False. Square footage is just one factor, and often not even the biggest one. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home’s actual energy use depends on a much longer list of variables working together, not size alone.
In order of general importance, after home size, here’s what else matters:
- Orientation to north
- Tree and shading coverage
- Age and condition of the HVAC system
- Thermostat set point
- Ductwork condition and location (attic, crawlspace, or fully inside conditioned space)
- Size, type, and condition of windows
- Roof overhang over windows
- Insulation in walls and ceilings
- Number of people occupying the home
- Number and type of appliances
- Air leakage throughout the home
Two homes with identical square footage can have wildly different bills once you account for even a few of these factors, which is exactly why a same-size comparison rarely tells you anything useful.
Myth 2: 70°F Is the “Perfect” Temperature
Truth: Comfort isn’t just about the number on the thermostat; it’s about the relationship between temperature and humidity. A home at 80°F with 40% relative humidity can feel similar to a home at 70°F with 60% humidity.
This general relationship is well documented in HVAC and building science and is part of why ASHRAE (the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) defines human thermal comfort using both temperature and humidity together, not temperature alone, in its ASHRAE Standard 55.
If you find yourself needing to set your thermostat to 70°F or lower just to feel comfortable, that’s often a sign your home has an underlying humidity or performance issue, not simply a “correct” thermostat preference.
Myth 3: Budget Billing Is the Answer to High Summertime Bills
Truth: Budget billing can be good for smoothing out your monthly budget, but it doesn’t fix anything.
It simply averages your costs out over the year, which means it can also quietly hide a poorly performing home for months or years at a time, while the underlying inefficiency keeps costing you money in the background.
Myth 4: A New HVAC System Is All I Need to Solve High Bills and Comfort Issues
Truth: Rarely. Your home needs to be evaluated as a complete system, not just its HVAC equipment in isolation.
This “house-as-a-system” approach is the foundation of building science methodology used by organizations like the Building Performance Institute (BPI), and it’s why we can often address comfort issues while keeping your existing system in place, once we understand what’s actually driving the problem.
Getting a quote over the phone, online, or from a big box retailer is usually the first mistake homeowners make, since none of those approaches actually evaluate your specific home. Call a professional who has a stake in your long-term comfort, like us.
Signs Your Home Has an Underlying Performance Issue
Before assuming a new HVAC system is the answer, watch for these signs that your home’s real issue may lie elsewhere:
- Some rooms are noticeably hotter or colder than others
- Your home feels humid or “sticky” even when the AC is running
- Your system runs constantly but never quite catches up to the thermostat setting
- Your energy bills spike even during mild weather, not just extreme heat
- You notice drafts near windows, doors, or electrical outlets
- Your attic or crawlspace feels unusually hot, even with the AC on
If any of these sounds familiar, the problem is likely bigger than the thermostat setting, and worth having evaluated properly.
Conclusion
If you’re experiencing comfort issues or seeing unusually high energy bills, contact us to discuss your options.
Our affordable cooling Tune-Up can help uncover the source of your home’s comfort problems.
Our technicians inspect, tighten, and lubricate key components of your cooling system to help ensure it operates safely and efficiently.
By addressing underlying issues in your home and keeping your HVAC equipment running efficiently, we can help improve comfort and potentially bring those high energy bills back down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my electric bill so much higher than my neighbor’s, even though our homes are the same size?
Home size is only one factor. Orientation, shading, insulation, window quality, ductwork condition, HVAC age, and air leakage all affect energy use, sometimes more than square footage does. Two similarly sized homes can have very different bills depending on these factors.
Does humidity really affect how warm my home feels?
Yes, Humidity has a significant effect on perceived temperature. A home at a higher temperature with lower humidity can feel just as comfortable as one set several degrees cooler with higher humidity, which is why comfort should be evaluated using both factors together, not thermostat setting alone.
Will budget billing lower my electric bill?
No, budget billing averages your costs across the year so your monthly payment is more predictable, but it doesn’t reduce your actual energy use or fix any underlying inefficiency in your home.
Will a new HVAC system fix my high energy bills?
In most cases, installing a new HVAC system in a home with existing performance issues, such as poor insulation, duct leakage, or air leaks, may not deliver the energy savings or comfort improvements homeowners expect. Evaluating the entire home as a system can help identify the true source of the problem.
What’s the best way to actually find out why my bill is so high?
A professional home performance evaluation looks at your HVAC system alongside your insulation, ductwork, windows, and air sealing, rather than assuming the equipment alone is the cause. This gives a much clearer picture than comparing your bill to a neighbor’s or requesting a quote based on square footage alone.
