Summer heat is here, which means that millions of homeowners are turning on their air conditioners to stay comfortable despite the temperatures. While running your air conditioning for an extended period will always lead to an increase of some sort in your energy bills, there are signs that point to an inefficient AC that needs to be repaired or replaced.
Poor Cooling
Is your home suffering from hot and cold spots from room to room? Does the air coming from the vents feel lukewarm instead of icy cool? Insufficient cooling is one indicator of an inefficient air conditioning system. In some cases, the culprit is poor maintenance or low levels of refrigerant. However, sometimes the air conditioner that you have installed is not appropriately sized to cool your home.
When there is a mismatch between square footage and the air conditioner that you’re using, the unit will need to run for longer and work harder to cool the home. This leads to accelerated wear and tear. You’ll need to spend more on repairs and replace your unit sooner than you would otherwise need to.
Sudden Spikes in Energy Spending
One of the first signs of inefficiency that many homeowners notice is dramatic increases in energy spending. While you will always spend more on cooling during the hottest days of the year, sudden steep increases that don’t align with changes to your usage are cause for concern. If you see increasing electric bills and utility rates, temperatures, and the weather have not changed, the problem could lie with your AC unit.
Cycling Frequently
How much time passes between your air conditioner kicking off and turning back on again? If only a few minutes go by before you hear the system turn on, it’s a sign that you may have an inefficient air conditioning system. In some cases, this can indicate an air conditioner that cannot keep up with cooling demands for the home. In others, it is a sign that the thermostat is not working properly and leading the unit to cycle.
Strange Sounds
Every appliance has different sounds that you grow used to hearing while it operates, whether it’s a low hum or a sharp rattle when it initially kicks on. Your air conditioning system is no different. If you find yourself noticing a new sound, a loud sound, or a strange noise coming from your unit, there could be something wrong. There are many different causes of strange sounds, and an HVAC professional can troubleshoot with ease.
An Old Unit
Older HVAC units are designed with older standards in mind, which means that they often use more energy and are less energy-efficient. When you have a very old unit, the only way to make it more efficient once and for all is to replace it. New units are designed to do more with less, which will lower your energy spending and help you do your part to help the environment. In general, most air conditioning units can last for 15-20 years before replacement with proper maintenance, but a lack of maintenance or repair can dramatically shorten that lifespan.
High Humidity Inside
Air conditioners help you stay cool by pushing cold air out through the vents and lowering humidity levels. High humidity makes you feel warmer, even if the temperature is the same. If you notice that your air conditioner is not reducing humidity levels and you are sweating even at low temperatures, you should have your air conditioning unit inspected. There could be an issue with refrigerant levels, or the unit may be so outdated that it is nearing the end of its life.
If you think there’s an issue with your air conditioner, it’s time to contact the pros. Call Hoot Heating & Air today, 443-309-8420.
