To lower energy bills in Florence, SC, help your air conditioner work less. Keep the filter clean, seal leaky ducts, control humidity and plan your thermostat settings. If bills stay high, Quality Service Company can check your system and tell you why.
Why are summer energy bills so high in Florence?
Our summers are long, hot and wet. A normal Florence July averages a high of 92 degrees and a low of about 72. Florence Regional Airport averages about 70 days a year at 90 degrees or higher. Most of those days fall between June and August.
Cooling runs hard from May through September. The airport hit 103 degrees on July 27, 2025. It reached 100 on July 5 and again on July 8, 2026.
Humidity adds to the load. Your AC has to pull water out of the air as well as cool it.
What can I do this week to cut my cooling bill?
These steps help any system, old or new.
- Check the air filter. A clogged filter chokes airflow and makes the system run longer.
- Check it again after pollen season. Tree pollen runs high across South Carolina in late March. Weed pollen peaks in late summer.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear. Trim back plants and pull leaves away so it can breathe.
- Close blinds on sunny windows. Afternoon sun through west-facing glass heats a room fast.
- Use ceiling fans in rooms you’re in. Fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave.
- Save heat-making chores for evening. The oven and dryer add heat your AC then has to remove.
Does the thermostat setting really matter?
Yes. The closer your indoor setting is to the outdoor temperature, the less your AC runs. Pick a setting you’re comfortable with, then raise it when the house is empty.
A programmable or smart thermostat makes those changes for you every day. Some smart thermostats can also run the AC a little longer to dry the air. Read more about smart thermostats and humidity control.
How does humidity raise my energy bill?
Damp air feels warmer than dry air at the same temperature. So people turn the thermostat down, and the AC runs longer.
An AC that is too big for the house makes this worse. It cools fast, shuts off and leaves the air damp.
If your house feels clammy even when it’s cool, ask about humidity. A tech can check whether the system is drying the air. Then you’ll hear your options, from settings and airflow to a whole-home dehumidifier.
Can leaky ducts make my bill go up?
In many homes, ducts run through a hot attic or crawlspace. Every leak dumps cooled air where nobody feels it. Then the AC runs longer to make up the difference.
Signs your ducts may be leaking:
- One or two rooms that never cool down
- More dust than usual around the house
- Bills that rise while your habits stay the same
Nearly half the homes in the City of Florence were built before 1980. If yours is one of them, ask your tech to look at the ducts and insulation.
Will a tune-up lower my energy bill?
It can. A dirty coil, a weak part or a refrigerant problem can make an AC run longer than it should. You may not notice until the bill arrives.
Spring is the time to find those problems, before the heat sets in. Learn what’s involved in HVAC maintenance and tune-ups.
When does a more efficient AC make sense?
SEER2 rates how efficiently a system cools over a whole season. A higher SEER2 number means less electricity for the same cooling.
It may be time to look at a new system if you notice:
- Repairs that keep coming back
- A system that runs nonstop on hot afternoons and still falls behind
- Rooms that won’t stay comfortable
- Bills climbing year over year
Size matters as much as the rating. A new system should be sized for your house, not copied from the old unit. Your tech will look at the house and the ducts, then lay out your options. You’ll know what each one costs before work starts.
In a normal year, Florence needs about as much heating as cooling. That’s why a heat pump, which heats and cools with one system, fits many homes here. We are an authorized Ruud and Trane dealer. Read about AC installation and replacement.
Common questions
Is a higher SEER2 rating always worth it?
A higher SEER2 rating is not always worth it. It uses less electricity for the same cooling, but the payoff depends on your house. Leaky ducts, poor insulation or the wrong size can eat into the gain from a better rating. Your tech can show how each option fits your home and your plans.
Should I turn my AC off when I leave home?
On hot, humid days, it usually works better to raise the setting than to shut the AC off. A closed-up house gathers heat and moisture while you’re gone. The system then runs a long time to catch up. A smart thermostat can raise the setting when you leave and lower it before you return.
How do I know if my AC is the wrong size?
An AC that is too big often runs in short bursts and leaves the house feeling damp. One that is too small runs almost nonstop on hot afternoons and still falls behind. Uneven rooms can point to either problem, or to duct trouble. A tech can measure the house and check the ducts to find out.
Can a heat pump lower my energy bills in Florence?
A heat pump can be a good fit for Florence because it heats and cools with one system. In a normal year, Florence needs about as much heating as cooling. A heat pump moves heat instead of making it. Ask your tech whether one fits your home.
If your bills keep climbing, we can look at your system and tell you why. Call (843) 920-2004 or book online.