Why does heat cost more than AC? The cost of cooling and heating your home runs up an energy bill that is thousands of dollars each year, so this simple question seems like one worth asking! You’re not alone, as many people wonder about this issue each and every year. There are a few reasons for the price difference between the two services. Heaters provide warmth by heating up the air in a room, while air conditioners cool the air by removing humidity. This causes the price for each service to vary, with heat costing more than AC. Here at Las Vegas AC Repair, we go over everything to answer the question.
The main reason that heating costs more than cooling is that it takes more energy to heat up air than it does to keep the temperature down. Air conditioners work by removing heat from the air and transferring it outside, while heaters work by taking cold air from outside and warming it up. It takes a lot more energy to warm air up than it does to cool air, so heating systems typically cost more to operate. Another reason is that there are different types of temperature difference in most regions of the world. Las Vegas and southern California are considered warm climates as Minnesota or North Dakota are a lot colder. The fundamental difference in energy usage between the two is dramatically different. Heating systems will work overtime in North Dakota during the winter while the air conditioning unit will use more electricity to keep the house cold in Las Vegas during the heat waves.
Air conditioning uses energy during the summer
Air conditioning systems use significantly more energy during hot months. This is because you have to run it longer and at higher settings. How much energy would you burn if you make your ac system work harder during the warm months? For example, if you leave your air conditioner running for 20 hours a day during excess heat for one month, you’ll burn about 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity. On an average month with average temperatures (say 75 degrees Fahrenheit), you would only burn 500 kWh of electricity. The higher costs that come with using the air conditioner are offset by less wear and tear on your home, which lowers your heating bill in the winter months. That’s why homeowners consider it insurance against harsh winters — but that’s not always true!
Your heating system uses energy in colder weather
Heating and cooling your home is similar to boiling water. If you want to boil two cups of water on a hot stove, it will take less energy than if you want to boil four cups of water. The same holds true for heating and cooling your home in colder weather. It takes much more energy to make a large space cold than it does to keep it warm on cold days, so the heating bills tend to be higher in winter months when the demand for heating is high to keep the house warm.
Energy costs fluctuate from day to night and season to season
You can bet that as summer heats up, so will your energy bills. In fact, cooling costs typically increase 30 to 40 percent in July and August when compared to what you’re paying in January and February. But why is that exactly? It all has to do with heating demand. Your home is only comfortable if it’s about 70 degrees Fahrenheit inside, so when it gets too hot out, we turn on our air conditioners and use fans to keep it colder. The more energy you use during the summer months as well as the cold winters drives up the price of your air conditioning costs as well as your heating cost.
Savings can be made by turning off unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronics
By turning off your air conditioning unit, you’ll save money on cooling. By unplugging items like laptops, cell phone chargers, and microwaves, you’ll cut down on electrical energy. However, some electronic items will continue to draw electricity even when they’re turned off; as a result, it’s often best to unplug items instead of simply switching them off at their sockets. Although there might be times when it isn’t possible or feasible to turn off your air conditioning unit—for example if you need to cool an area that isn’t frequently used—you can still reduce your cooling costs by getting in the habit of automatically turning your air conditioning unit off when leaving home or going out for extended periods of time.
Open windows when available and use fans instead of air conditioners
For homeowners who have a thermostat, opening windows when it’s nice outside and using fans inside can be a cheap way to keep cool during the summer months since they are not energy-intensive. If you’re renting an apartment or home, you could ask your landlord if they can adjust settings during peak times—many will accommodate. Your utility company may also offer rebates for efficient air conditioning or heating systems; don’t hesitate to inquire about these if it’s important to lower energy costs.
Insulate your home to keep it cool in the summer and warm in the winter
The right kind of insulation will prevent your home from losing its cool in summer or its warmth in winter. Look for R-value, or resistance to conductive heat loss, when buying insulation. Although many types are available, fiberglass has an R-value of approximately 3.5 per inch and is a common choice for home renovations. To calculate how much insulation you’ll need to buy, simply multiply your home’s square footage by 3 (for example 500 feet x 3 = 1,500). Insulation prices can vary depending on which type you use and whether it comes in roll form or if it needs to be sprayed into place, but plan on spending about $4 per square foot for average materials.
If you want your air conditioning unit or heating system costs to be as low as possible try using natural wind during the summer or space heaters to warm up your house. Also if you don’t want to spend a ton of money on the heating systems then don’t live in hot climates. That’s where the massive heating bill comes from. The same goes for air conditioning systems, open up a window to let in the cold wind to save money and it will be more energy efficiency for your air conditioners. The more power your air conditioner and heat pumps use the more money you will have to spend on your HVAC system. The temperature difference in each region is different so air conditioning and heat energy will be different in price so make sure to live in an area you think is best for you and what you can pay to stay warm or cool. If you have any questions about your electricity bill let us know.
