Why Is My Electric Bill So High in Summer?

It happens every July and August. You open your Southern California Edison (SCE) bill and your jaw hits the floor. $400? $600? Sometimes even higher.

In the Antelope Valley, air conditioning typically accounts for 60-70% of your summer electricity usage. If your bill is skyrocketing, your AC is the likely culprit. But why is it using so much power?

Reason 1: Dirty Condenser Coils

This is the #1 efficiency killer in Lancaster and Palmdale. Your outdoor unit breathes in air to release heat. When the coils are clogged with our famous desert dust, the unit can't breathe.

The compressor has to work twice as hard and run twice as long to cool your home. It’s like trying to run a marathon while breathing through a straw.

The Fix: Scheduling a professional AC Tune-Up can lower your energy usage by up to 20% simply by cleaning the coils.

Reason 2: Peak Time-of-Use Rates

Most SCE customers are on Time-of-Use (TOU) plans, where electricity is most expensive between 4 PM and 9 PM. Unfortunately, that’s exactly when you get home from work and want to crank the AC.

The Fix: Pre-cool your home! Run your AC at a lower temperature (e.g., 72°F) until 3:30 PM, then raise the thermostat to 78°F or higher during the peak window. Your house acts like a battery, storing the cool air.

Reason 3: Low Refrigerant Levels

If your system is low on Freon or Puron (refrigerant), it can’t absorb heat effectively. The AC will run non-stop but never quite reach the set temperature.

The Fix: If your air feels "cool" but not "cold," call us for a leak check immediately.

Reason 4: Old, Inefficient Units

A 15-year-old AC unit might have a SEER rating of 10 or less. Modern units are required to be SEER 14 or higher (and many are SEER 20+). Replacing an old dinosaur can cut your cooling costs in half.

Reason 5: Leaky Ductwork

In many AV homes, ductwork runs through the attic, where temperatures can reach 140°F. If you have holes or disconnected ducts, you are literally paying to air condition your attic.