One of the most frustrating problems a homeowner can have is increasingly expensive utility bills to pay even when they are trying to save and are maintaining the same usage as they have always done. If you noticed that your electricity or water spiked even though you haven’t changed your household habits or you’ve lessened your energy consumption, you might be looking at a problem with some utilities. There may be a problem that you have yet to discover.

Though there are many possibilities that you should check, here are some of the most common reasons the utilities are going up.

• You have a problem with your cooling system

Getting an AC tune-up is important from Draper to Riverton. If you’ve ever wondered about it, it’s because wear and tear is a common issue that results in air conditioning units and systems producing less coolness and having to work harder to achieve their proper performance.

Whether your AC is leaking, clogged with dirt or ice, using worn components, or malfunctioning, it’s an issue that is often overlooked because it only shows up in the bills. That’s due to the unit still compensating to achieve the necessary temperature, but in turn, using up more energy. A regular tune-up can prevent these issues from cropping up and can quell any existing problems that are reflecting in your expenses.

• You have issues with your heating

While poor insulation might be the cause, you can also have an actual problem with your heater. Regular maintenance and cleaning should prevent most of the issues that cause your heater to consume more energy. But among the most common ones are leaking ductwork, poor circulation, and a damaged thermostat.

Make sure your thermostat is correctly calibrated before you look into any other issues. From there, you can assess whether your problems are coming from damaged components or bad circulation. You can always check on this yourself, though. If the issue seems more extensive, it’s best to get an HVAC specialist to determine the root of your heating woes. You’ll know the problem with your increased bills may lie here when you notice unbalanced temperatures throughout the home.

• You have an underlying plumbing problem.

Though various forms of damage and wear can be sustained by your pipes, the most common issue that causes an increase in your bill is leakage. It can be from your toilet, sink, or the network of piping across the walls or under the floors. A leak can significantly affect your water consumption rates and, in turn, the expenses that you have to pay every month. You should look for water stains and loose tiling as these are major visual signs that you have leakage. You can also seek out any growth of mold and loose components that feel damp.

48% of energy usage in American homes comes from heating and cooling. With these issues in mind, you can note the major points of consumption to look at when figuring out why your utility bills are increasing.