HIGH ENERGY BILLS IN PALOS VERDES ESTATES

Unexpectedly high energy bills often indicate your HVAC system is working harder than it should, wasting energy and money. Palos Verdes Estates homeowners experience this issue at a rate roughly proportional to housing age and climate exposure — older Palos Verdes Estates homes (built before 1985) have a notably higher incidence than newer construction.

Palos Verdes Estates experiences a unique microclimate influenced by its coastal location and the marine layer that often blankets the area. The cool ocean breezes can moderate temperatures, but residents also face occasional heat waves in the summer months. This combination creates a challenge for HVAC systems, which must be equipped to handle both humidity and temperature fluctuations. As a result, homeowners should consider systems designed for coastal conditions, ensuring they can operate efficiently year-round. For high bills specifically, this matters because the climate determines how hard your system is being pushed when the failure occurs.

Before calling us, you can try the following DIY checks — many Palos Verdes Estates homeowners resolve the issue themselves without a service call:

• Replace air filter if dirty
• Check for obvious duct leaks
• Verify thermostat programming is efficient
• Compare bills to same month previous year
• Check for drafts around windows and doors