Have you ever wondered why your monthly energy bills vary even when you consistently use the same amount of power? Why is it that your bill comes out so unpredictable? Actually, there are many factors that can change your energy consumption. One is the weather, of course!

Here’s how weather affects your energy bills:

Extreme Humidity

For other people, summer is ideally spent outdoors with lots of fun activities and adventures. However, those who stay indoors and spend the whole day with the family might be a target of extreme humidity. When tremendous heat attacks your home, you will probably turn your thermostat down to cool yourself off. Turning your A/C’s temperature down for the sake of comfort can definitely raise your energy consumption, which later translates in your bill.

There is a tool called hygrometer, which effectively reveals if the humidity inside your home exceeds 50%. You can do the following tips if that happens:

  • See if there are plumbing leaks and fix them.
  • Clean or repair the evaporator coils.
  • Install a humidifier that covers all areas of your home.
  • Replace your air filter for better airflow.
  • Check and recharge your A/C refrigerant.

Near and Far Weather Events

Depending on the supply, demand, and amount of oil or gas used, the energy’s price also varies. When any of these factors are affected, the price can rise. For example, in the presence of a heat wave, extremely high pressure is placed on the energy infrastructure because the energy is channeled to the regions that experience hot weather. And because the demand in this area rises, the stores of gas that produce electricity are reduced. As a result, the cost increases.

Another reason why the price rises is when a refinery, power plant or grid part is affected by storms or other catastrophic incidents. Also, air temperature and high water affect power plant’s efficiency in converting fuel to electricity.

Monthly Energy Consumption

The weather highly dictates the consumption of natural gas and electricity. During summer, many are using more electrical power to cool down their homes than gas for heating. This seasonal trend encourages most commercial and residential areas to have seasonal natural gas and electricity. As a result, their electric bill skyrocketed during summer. The same thing happens to their gas bill during winter.

If you want to know more about how weather affects your energy bills, you can contact our professionals at North Bay Heating and Air. Our goal here is to educate you about home comfort and energy issues, particularly your HVAC system. We can give you expert advice on how you can wisely use your air conditioning unit and reduce energy consumption.