Tenant says window AC doubled power bill after crew admitted they'd 'never installed one before'

Key Points:

• A tenant experienced a significant increase in their electric bill—from $100-140 to $240-290 monthly—after a broken window AC was replaced with a smaller unit installed poorly using wood, foam, and tape, leaving visible gaps.
• Reddit users suggested the bill spike could be due to weak insulation around the unit and the possibility that the new AC is less efficient or undersized, causing it to run longer and consume more electricity.
• The tenant revealed the installer admitted to never having installed a window AC before, indicating an improvised and substandard installation likely contributing to energy loss.
• Key steps to address the issue include checking for air leaks, verifying the unit’s efficiency rating and proper sizing, and considering upgrades like solar panels or more efficient HVAC systems to reduce costs.
• Related homeowner experiences highlight that simple adjustments such as thermostat tweaks, using dry mode, and routine maintenance can significantly reduce cooling costs and improve AC performance.