The usual suspects
Backup heat strips running silently
On heat pumps, stuck-on electric strips can double a bill with zero comfort difference — the classic invisible spike.
Lost efficiency
Low charge, dirty coils, or a struggling blower — same comfort, far more runtime.
Short cycling or non-stop running
Both burn extra — and both have their own guides here.
The house changed
New occupants, new setpoints, a heat-dome month — worth ruling in honestly before blaming the machine.
Find the leak in the bill.
A tune-up-level inspection finds where the kilowatts go — strips stuck on, low charge, dirty coils — and quotes fixes by payback.
Book My Same-Day Visit60 seconds online · or call (206) 486-6373
Worth trying first (5 minutes, free)
- 1
Compare same-month last year on your PSE bill — usage, not dollars.
- 2
Check for "aux heat" or "em heat" showing on the thermostat when it shouldn’t.
- 3
Filter, coils, vents — the free efficiency trio, again.
Still not working? Then it’s a technician job — and the sooner it’s booked, the sooner the house is comfortable again. Book the visit →
Stop and book a pro if…
- Usage up 30%+ with no lifestyle change.
- "Aux heat" glowing on mild days.
- The spike coincided with new comfort problems — two symptoms, one cause.
- Ice, noises, or short cycling alongside the bill.
Why homeowners hand it to us
- You approve the price first. Upfront quote before a single screw turns.
- Same-day service. Book in a minute, hear from a tech within 1 business hour.
- 500+ jobs done by 4.9★ rated, professional technicians.
- Fixed right, guaranteed. If it’s not right, we make it right.
Quick answers
Can a technician really find a bill problem?
Yes — stuck heat strips, low charge and dirty coils each leave measurable fingerprints (amp draws, temperatures, pressures). It’s diagnosis, not guesswork, and it’s priced upfront.
What’s the usual culprit on heat pumps?
Backup strips engaging when they shouldn’t — a control or sensor fault that costs multiples of normal heating while feeling identical indoors.
Is a maintenance plan worth it for efficiency?
Two tune-ups a year typically pay for themselves in efficiency alone, before counting the failures they prevent — and we’ll show you the math rather than assert it.
Done guessing?
A system running 20% inefficient costs you every single day. Book the efficiency check.
Book My Same-Day Visit60 seconds online · or call (206) 486-6373
More: all problems · heating service · AC service · 24/7 emergency