Dirty Filter or Failing Furnace? Why High Energy Bills May Be Draining Your Bank Account
Skyrocketing energy bills can be frustrating, and you may wonder if a dirty filter or failing furnace is at the root of the problem.
Furnaces that lose efficiency often show early signs of trouble, such as higher monthly energy costs.
Troubleshooting the cause of expensive energy bills is often a process of elimination. When comfort in your home is at stake, we can help you find the source of the problem so you can take action.
Here’s what to know about rising energy bills and furnace efficiency.
Why High Energy Bills Are Cause for Concern
A clean and well-tuned furnace should run efficiently through even the coldest winter months. While energy usage naturally increases during winter, extreme or sudden increases in energy costs often signal trouble within the heating system.
Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Evanston, Skokie, Park Ridge, and other communities in Northwest Chicagoland often face furnace repair and efficiency issues during peak winter usage.
A furnace that must work harder to keep you warm and comfortable will show this in the form of increased energy bills.
When airflow is restricted or internal components begin to fail, the system must run longer and consume more energy to perform as it once did.
How a Dirty Filter Can Inflate Energy Bills
Dirty air filters are one of the most common, yet easily fixed, reasons for high energy bills. As dust and debris build on the filter, airflow is restricted. This causes the furnace blower to cycle on and run longer to properly circulate warm air.
Constricted airflow often results in:
Longer heating cycles
Uneven temperatures from room to room
Excessive wear on the blower motor
Increased monthly energy usage
In Glenview, Highland Park, Morton Grove, and other Chicagoland suburbs where furnaces may operate continuously during bitter cold snaps, a dirty filter can cause rapid spikes in energy bills in a matter of days or weeks.
How a Failing Furnace Raises Energy Costs
Aging furnace components, including the heat exchanger, burners, motor, and control board, will eventually start to wear down. As these internal components lose efficiency, it costs more energy to produce the same amount of heat.
Common signs that a furnace is losing efficiency include:
Monthly energy bills climb without changes in thermostat use or comfort needs
The furnace takes longer to reach set temperatures
Heat output is inconsistent throughout the home
The furnace is making unusual noises or frequently cycling on and off
Many homeowners don’t realize there’s a problem until they receive an exorbitant energy bill or the furnace stops working altogether.
Why Energy Bills Spike in Mid-Winter
Energy bills often become a concern in mid to late winter when colder overnight temperatures force longer furnace run cycles. Restricted airflow and mechanical problems are amplified in the winter months when furnaces are running the longest.
Oak Park, Palatine, Edison Park, and surrounding suburbs can experience extended stretches of cold winter weather that tax an inefficient furnace and drain energy dollars.
Energy losses that may not have been noticeable in early winter often begin to take a toll on energy bills by January or February.
The Cost of Letting High Energy Bills Go Unchecked
Allowing high energy bills to go unchecked often leads to more than just high utility bills each month. Continued stress on the furnace increases the potential for major system failures or breakdowns in the coldest part of winter.
Homeowners may also experience:
Emergency service calls in the middle of a winter storm
Expensive repairs that could have been prevented
Premature furnace replacement
Consistently high utility bills
Efficiency problems can usually be solved before they result in major system failures.
Simple energy efficiency tips like changing the air filter and verifying vents are unobstructed can often solve the problem.
When to Call a Professional for Help
We encourage all homeowners to start with simple tasks like replacing the air filter and adjusting the thermostat slightly lower before calling for service.
If monthly energy bills remain high despite regular maintenance, schedule an inspection.
Our expert technicians can troubleshoot furnace inefficiency to pinpoint the source of the problem.
Home Comfort is your trusted partner for furnace inspections, maintenance, and heating service throughout Northwest Chicagoland.
Our team of experts is trained to solve energy problems and restore efficiency so you can regain control of your monthly energy budget.
Whether you live in Lombard, Rosemont, Schiller Park, or the surrounding areas, we are committed to ensuring you’re never left in the cold.
Commonly Asked Questions About Furnaces and Energy Bills
Why are my energy bills so high all of a sudden
Sudden and extreme increases in energy bills are often caused by dirty air filters, airflow restrictions, or a furnace that is losing efficiency as internal components wear down.
Can a dirty filter cause high energy bills?
Yes. A dirty filter restricts airflow. This causes the furnace to work harder and use more energy to heat your home.
How do I know if my furnace is to blame for high energy bills?
Long run times, uneven heating, strange noises, and higher bills without changes in thermostat use are common signs of furnace inefficiency.
Will a new furnace help me lower my energy bills?
In many cases, replacing an aging or inefficient furnace is the best way to lower monthly energy costs by improving heating efficiency and furnace performance.
Should I call a professional about high energy bills?
Yes. A professional inspection and diagnostic check can identify the cause of high energy bills so you can address the problem.
