Why Is My Electricity Bill So High in Bucks and Montgomery County?

The Short Answer

Your bill comes from two levers, the price you pay per kilowatt hour and how many kilowatt hours you use. You cannot control every factor that affects pricing, but you can lower the energy your home needs to stay comfortable. That is where professional HVAC maintenance, smart controls, and right sized equipment from Cooper Mechanical make a real difference.

What You Can Control Today: Hvac Moves That Cut Usage

Heating, cooling, and water heating take a large share of home energy use, so small HVAC improvements will create big results in the short and long-term.

1) Book a precision seasonal tune up
A clean, calibrated system runs fewer minutes to deliver the same comfort. When you schedule service through our AC services or explore our air conditioning options, technicians check electrical components, airflow, refrigerant conditions for heat pumps, and combustion safety for gas equipment.

2) Fix airflow before anything else
Replace filters on schedule, open and clear supply and return vents, and have a technician measure static pressure during your next visit through AC services. Duct issues force your system to work harder and longer than it should, which increases kilowatt usage.

3) Get smart about schedules
A smart or well programmed thermostat trims unnecessary heating and cooling while you sleep or are away. Create simple day and night setpoints, use away modes, and avoid large swings that trigger long recovery cycles. If you are ready to upgrade, see our thermostats and smart controls to start saving.

4) Consider a variable speed heat pump
Modern inverter heat pumps modulate output to match the load, which means fewer hard starts and less wasted energy. They can replace or team up with existing systems for year round efficiency. Check out your options on our heat pumps page, then ask us to size and design for your home.

5) Target problem rooms with ductless zoning
Sunrooms, third floors, and additions are classic energy hogs. A ductless mini split cools or heats only the space you are using. See how zoning works on our ductless mini split systems page.

6) Manage humidity so you can adjust setpoints comfortably
Balanced humidity lets you feel comfortable at slightly higher cooling setpoints in summer and slightly lower heating setpoints in winter. Pair your system with solutions from our air purification and filtration lineup to stabilize comfort and reduce run time.

7) Water heating quick wins
If your water heater is electric, set the temperature to 120°F, insulate accessible hot water pipes, and time laundry and dishwasher cycles for off peak hours when possible. When replacement time comes, ask our team which high efficiency options fit your home and budget.

What You Cannot Fully Control

Some bill drivers sit outside your home. Prices move with regional supply and demand, transmission and capacity planning, and weather patterns that increase system peak. There is also growing electricity use from new facilities.

Large data centers, including those that support artificial intelligence workloads, add demand to the grid in certain regions. Homeowners do not control that planning. You can blunt the impact by shrinking your own usage with the steps above and by upgrading through our heat pumps, ductless mini split systems, and thermostats.

The takeaway is simple. Prices may change, but the kilowatt hours you do not use will never show up on your bill.

Read Your Bill Like a Pro: Rate Times Usage

Most bills group charges into supply, delivery, and other line items. Track your total kilowatt hours month by month, not just the dollar amount.

Quick Wins to Try This Month

Replace a clogged filter and clear every return grille, then schedule a check-up with Cooper Mechanical
Set a simple 7 day schedule on your thermostat and use away mode during work hours
Close the gap under attic hatches and seal obvious duct leaks
Lower electric water heater setpoint to 120°F if it is higher
Use ceiling fans to circulate air so you can raise or lower the thermostat by one degree

High Impact Upgrades for Consistent Savings

A variable speed heat pump modulates to match the load, which reduces short cycling and cuts energy use.
Ductless zones condition the rooms you use most and back off in rarely used areas.
Smart controls automate schedules, enable remote adjustments, and send maintenance alerts.
IAQ and humidity control helps you feel comfortable at milder setpoints for fewer runtime hours.

FAQ

Why is my electricity bill so high?
Common reasons include a stretch of extreme weather, a price change on the supply side, or an HVAC issue that increases runtime. Begin with a seasonal check, verify airflow and filter condition, and review thermostat schedules. If the system still runs long or short cycles, ask The Coop to evaluate refrigerant conditions, blower performance, and duct losses.

Will a tune up actually lower my bill?
Yes. A tuned system runs fewer minutes to maintain temperature. That reduces kilowatt hours and wear on components. Many homeowners also uncover small issues before they become expensive repairs when they’re proactive with maintenance.

Are heat pumps efficient enough for our climate?
Modern inverter heat pumps work well for both heating and cooling in Bucks and Montgomery County. They also pair well with smart controls for precise, efficient operation.

Is AI the reason my bill went up?
Large data centers, including those that support AI, add demand to the grid in some regions, which utilities consider during long term planning. Your fastest path to savings is reducing your own usage through maintenance and equipment upgrades.