Why Is My Electric Bill So High Even With a New AC?

Many homeowners believe installing a new air conditioning system will automatically slash their electric bills. While modern equipment is more efficient, we frequently receive calls from

Pinellas County residents who say:

“I just got a new AC system… so why is my electric bill still so high?”

The truth is, a high energy bill after installation usually points to system performance issues — not defective equipment. Even the most energy-efficient HVAC system can waste power if the surrounding conditions aren’t optimized.

At Williams Air Solutions, we troubleshoot this issue across Belleair, Clearwater, Seminole, and nearby communities every week. Below are the most common causes — and what can be done to correct them.

Over time, dust buildup on condenser and evaporator coils restricts heat transfer and airflow. Electrical wear and loose connections also degrade performance.



Dirty or neglected systems cause:

• Longer run cycles
• Higher power draw
• Poor cooling performance
• Increased compressor workload

Each added minute of runtime increases energy usage.

Professional tune-ups restore:

• Clean coils
• Balanced airflow
• Correct refrigerant levels

The result: lower electrical demand and improved cooling output without longer cycles.

Your new AC relies entirely on ductwork to deliver conditioned air. Many homes have duct issues that sabotage efficiency:

• Leaking ducts in hot attics
• Poor insulation
• Crushed or disconnected duct sections
• Improper return airflow

As much as 30% of cooling output can be lost before reaching your living space if ducts aren’t sealed and balanced.

Comfort misunderstandings cause wasted energy:

• Frequent temperature adjustments
• Setting thermostats extremely low to “catch up”
• Poor scheduling between day/night cycles

These habits shorten system cycles and spike power consumption.

Solution:
Smart thermostats and consistent setpoints stabilize performance and reduce runtime.

Humidity is often the missing piece in the energy puzzle.

• Moist air feels warmer
• Homeowners lower thermostat settings unnecessarily
• AC runs longer without improving comfort

Unless humidity is controlled, cooling never feels adequate, leading to energy overuse for diminishing comfort returns.

Even high-end equipment loses efficiency when installed incorrectly.

Common mistakes include:

• Improper refrigerant charging
• Airflow mismatches
• Inadequate duct return capacity
• Electrical mismatches

Every one of these lowers efficiency despite modern equipment ratings.

Even new systems quickly lose efficiency if maintenance is skipped.



Early neglect leads to:

• Dirty coils
• Clogged filters
• Airflow loss

All force the system to operate harder to maintain cooling output.

AC systems compensate for missing insulation by increasing runtimes.



Problem areas include:

• Older attics
• Unsealed wall plates
• Leaky door and window seals

Better insulation lowers overall cooling demand dramatically.

A Clearwater homeowner installed a new system but saw no drop in electric bills. Our evaluation found:



✅ Leaking ductwork in attic
✅ Oversized equipment causing short-cycling
✅ No humidity control strategy

After system recalibration and duct sealing:

• Cooling stabilized
• Humidity dropped
• Energy bills decreased by 19%

The system didn’t need replacement — it needed optimization.

✅ Verify sizing with a professional Manual J calculation.

✅ Request duct sealing and airflow testing.

✅ Adjust thermostat usage with smart controls.

✅ Address humidity with variable-speed equipment or whole-home dehumidification.

✅ Schedule biannual HVAC maintenance visits. with modern HVAC installations.

In nearly every case, high bills signal installation or airflow issues — not equipment defects.

With proper evaluation, most systems can be optimized without expensive replacements, reclaiming energy savings that should come with modern HVAC installations.

At Williams Air Solutions, we specialize in diagnosing post-installation inefficiencies and restoring system performance across Pinellas County.

Call Williams Air Solutions at (727) 353-0090 today to schedule an HVAC performance evaluation and start lowering your energy bills today.