Why Energy Bills Spike in Large Southlake Homes During Summer

When summer approaches, do you dread opening up your energy bill? Do you wonder why this keeps happening? Here are three reasons this pattern typically happens in large Southlake homes during the summer, along with solutions to get these utility costs under control by improving heating and cooling efficiency in Southlake, TX.

Three Causes of Rising Summer Energy Bills

1. Boosted Summer Usage

Temperatures in Southlake and the rest of Tarrant County get pretty hot during the summer. Average highs from June through September reach the nineties, while August highs can even hover around 100 degrees.

During high-temperature periods, air conditioning usage naturally increases. That, in turn, leads to higher energy bills.

In reality, about half of your energy bills can be traced back to heating and cooling costs. So, this factor plays a key role in explaining those spikes on your Southlake energy bills.

Besides more heat, summer also brings more light and longer daylight hours. Extended daylight can mean more time for family members to use washing machines, dryers, and other appliances, as well as more electronics.

Each of these appliances and electronics uses energy to operate, which can increase costs. Summer can also mean more use by more people if children are home during school breaks.

Natural gas is often used to produce electricity, and its prices can rise as demand increases. As the prices of ingredients used to produce electricity rise, so does the price of the final product: electricity. Areas with plenty of industry, such as Southlake, can see strong demand for natural gas, making residents more susceptible to utility bill increases.

2. Grid-Related Demand

The Texas energy grid’s history created a high baseline price that energy prices can jump from. Over recent years, Texans have endured record heat waves, pushing demand to all-time highs and causing energy bill spikes.

Here’s what happened in the Lone Star State in the 1930s. Texas chose to maintain its own power grid in protest of federal energy regulations. Like most decisions, this one came with both pros and cons. Here’s a breakdown of one of the cons:

• Nowadays, states often borrow electricity from other states when demand exceeds supply, but Texas’s grid independence makes that harder for the Lone Star State.
• This issue came to the forefront when damage from the 2021 Winter Storm Uri meant that:
• • 4.5 million people had no power.
  • $200 billion in damage took place.
  • Electric bills, for some Texans, skyrocketed into the thousands of dollars.
• In response, Texas officials connected to the national grid to benefit from this energy network.
• The connection cost was $360 million and, to recoup those costs, customers have faced higher electric bills.

Also in recent years, numerous AI and data centers have been built in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth region: about 150 of them, in fact. Each of these centers demands huge amounts of energy, and that demand pushes up electricity prices across the region’s system, including for residences.

3. More House to Cool

Several reasons exist why bigger homes often come with higher energy costs. They include the following:

• More square footage to cool down: Size and volume matter.
• More appliances and electronics: Larger homes often have more devices and equipment, which require more energy to run.
• Insulation issues: Older estates in Tarrant County may have substandard insulation coverage, and because the homes are larger, more spots can lose energy.

Although you can’t control the size of your home, or, for that matter, the temperatures outside or the Texas grid issues, several solutions exist to boost your heating and cooling efficiency in Southlake, TX and save money on your energy bills.

Three Solutions for Lower Energy Bills

1. Regularly Maintain Your AC System

Homeowners can lower their energy bills by ensuring that their air conditioning unit works as efficiently and effectively as possible. Actions you can take include these maintenance-related steps:

• Change your system’s air filters according to manufacturer specifications. Homes with shedding pets will likely need to change them more often.
• Clear the area around your outside unit regularly so that it isn’t blocked by twigs, leaves, cottonwood fluff, blown trash, and other debris.
• Schedule your professional AC maintenance every spring. That way, your system can operate smoothly, keeping your equipment from working harder than necessary.
• Catch the need for AC repairs early. Signs include strange sounds and smells, weak or warm airflow, inconsistent cooling, water puddles around your system, and other unusual issues.

2. Don’t Forget Your Thermostat Care

If your thermostat is in direct sunlight, it can prevent your system from working as well as it should. Experts at Moss Heating, Cooling & Plumbing provide comprehensive HVAC thermostat services, including relocating the device to the optimal spot and performing repairs and recalibrations to ensure your thermostat meets your heating and cooling system’s needs.

If your home still has a traditional thermostat, we can share the benefits of a smart one, including adjusting settings from anywhere. Residential climate management lets you adjust thermostat settings to your preferred temperatures 24/7.

For example, you could raise the temperature when everyone is at work during the summer, then cool it down by the time you arrive home.

When new thermostat upgrades become available with even more benefits and desired features, we can let you know. This includes new models that can help you further manage energy costs and reduce summer spikes.

3. Get an Energy-Efficient AC Replacement

In some cases, getting the HVAC efficiency in Southlake, TX that you want and need requires new equipment. Times when this happens include:

• When the HVAC equipment has reached the end of its lifecycle.
• When your AC system isn’t powerful enough to cool your Tarrant County home.
• A less intuitive possibility: the unit is actually too big for your Southlake house.

If you’re interested in discussing whether AC repair or an AC replacement installation is a better solution for your situation, we will happily inspect your home and equipment, listen to your concerns and goals, and provide a no-pressure recommendation and a detailed, transparent quote.

We’ll rightsize your solution to fit your large Southlake home’s layout. Our professionals will discuss your potential energy savings, maintenance costs, and return on investment. Have questions? We’ll answer them clearly and avoid industry jargon.

Request a Professional Assessment From Moss Today

When you need to improve your HVAC efficiency in Southlake, TX, conveniently book your appointment online. You can also get a FREE online quote.

With either option, you can count on our expert assessments, top-quality diagnostics, and knowledge about the Tarrant County climate and conditions.

The result: an efficient, effective air conditioning system that provides you with the cool comfort you deserve during the hot summer season.

For your peace of mind, Moss also offers convenient HVAC financing.