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We moved into an apartment closer to work. It is about 100 sq feet difference from our old one, same floor and our kwh jumped from 1200 to 3000 kwh.
We have been dealing with this since May - quite high bills - plus the hassle of dealing with this for 3 months.
We think it is has to do with the AC, but maybe someone has an idea of what we could try. We did the breaker tests hour by hour for several days and the meter isn't faulty according to the power company.
So here is the story for background.
We set our t-stat to about 79-80. Our AC hardly ever turns off at all. I'm not exaggerating when I say it runs for 3 or more hours straight, turns off for 5 mins, then runs another 3 or more hours straight. The Apt. won't cool past 79-80 even when we do set the t-stat below that (In our old apt, we kept it around 73 when home).
When I complained about this to the complex, they tried to tell me it is normal. I walked around the building and talked to other residents, and they are able to leave their t-stats low (72 was the average) and their AC cycles off. Eventually, the complex sent their crew out and ran tests. They said our insulation was ok, they hooked cables up to the breaker and read amps, stating everything was pulling the correct power. They put a thermometer up to the vents and at the t-stat, saying it read fine (although they didn't say what the numbers were). I told them it wasn't normal, something is wrong, and they need to fix it. They said they would claim the outside unit as defective so they could install a new one. They also installed a new t-stat
Once the new outside unit was installed, they said to wait a few days to see if things go to "normal". Well they haven't. Everything is still the same.
Around the time the new outside unit was installed, I started hearing this "flapping" or "scurrying" sound above our bedroom ceiling. Searches on the internet indicate it might be duct leakage? I also opened up the hatch above our shower where the blower is. The "squirrel cage" (I believe that's what it is called) is filthy. I took pictures of it. Next to the squirrel cage, I also noticed a plastic zip lock looking bag that has melted and is stuck between the blower!
Another thing to note is - When I force the AC to cycle off by pushing the t-stat to 90, I noticed the blower (squirrel cage) continues to run. Is that normal? I would think it would stop.
I called the complex and told them we are still having issues. They said, "well we put in a new outdoor unit and that was expensive you know?". After more debate, they said they would talk to their maintenance crew and get back to me on Monday the 11th.
I really don't know what to do at this point. Because of the 24/7 running of the AC (at 80 degrees....) we have over 2,880 kWh of consumption already. Our bill last month was 270 and I fear this month it will be higher. Our average kWh consumption is 1,200 a month in the old apartment and now it is more than doubled since moving here!
Any advice is appreciated. I'll do my best to take any pictures and give any information you might need.
We have been dealing with this since May - quite high bills - plus the hassle of dealing with this for 3 months.
We think it is has to do with the AC, but maybe someone has an idea of what we could try. We did the breaker tests hour by hour for several days and the meter isn't faulty according to the power company.
So here is the story for background.
We set our t-stat to about 79-80. Our AC hardly ever turns off at all. I'm not exaggerating when I say it runs for 3 or more hours straight, turns off for 5 mins, then runs another 3 or more hours straight. The Apt. won't cool past 79-80 even when we do set the t-stat below that (In our old apt, we kept it around 73 when home).
When I complained about this to the complex, they tried to tell me it is normal. I walked around the building and talked to other residents, and they are able to leave their t-stats low (72 was the average) and their AC cycles off. Eventually, the complex sent their crew out and ran tests. They said our insulation was ok, they hooked cables up to the breaker and read amps, stating everything was pulling the correct power. They put a thermometer up to the vents and at the t-stat, saying it read fine (although they didn't say what the numbers were). I told them it wasn't normal, something is wrong, and they need to fix it. They said they would claim the outside unit as defective so they could install a new one. They also installed a new t-stat
Once the new outside unit was installed, they said to wait a few days to see if things go to "normal". Well they haven't. Everything is still the same.
Around the time the new outside unit was installed, I started hearing this "flapping" or "scurrying" sound above our bedroom ceiling. Searches on the internet indicate it might be duct leakage? I also opened up the hatch above our shower where the blower is. The "squirrel cage" (I believe that's what it is called) is filthy. I took pictures of it. Next to the squirrel cage, I also noticed a plastic zip lock looking bag that has melted and is stuck between the blower!
Another thing to note is - When I force the AC to cycle off by pushing the t-stat to 90, I noticed the blower (squirrel cage) continues to run. Is that normal? I would think it would stop.
I called the complex and told them we are still having issues. They said, "well we put in a new outdoor unit and that was expensive you know?". After more debate, they said they would talk to their maintenance crew and get back to me on Monday the 11th.
I really don't know what to do at this point. Because of the 24/7 running of the AC (at 80 degrees....) we have over 2,880 kWh of consumption already. Our bill last month was 270 and I fear this month it will be higher. Our average kWh consumption is 1,200 a month in the old apartment and now it is more than doubled since moving here!
Any advice is appreciated. I'll do my best to take any pictures and give any information you might need.
