HVAC efficiency should be a priority for homeowners who are looking to reduce their monthly energy costs. If your home struggles with uneven temperatures or doesn't stay cool at all, you may already suspect that your AC is underperforming.
Unfortunately, energy inefficiency can be hard to detect in a central air conditioner. Your AC may be running poorly even if it seems to be keeping your home comfortable enough. Here are three signs your central air conditioner is underperforming.
1. High Indoor Humidity
In addition to keeping your home cool, a central air conditioner manages the humidity in your home. Air with higher relative humidity will feel warmer than dry air at the same temperature. As your air conditioner runs, it collects moisture from the air in the form of condensation on the evaporator coils.
You may have an energy efficiency issue if your home still feels humid and stuffy when the AC is running. If your AC coils are freezing up or failing to reach a cold enough temperature, they won't be able to remove moisture from the air. Look for signs of excess humidity in your home, such as condensation on windows and other surfaces.
2. Strange Sounds From Your AC
Energy efficiency is often lost gradually as wear and tear take effect on the components inside your AC. Many mechanical issues will also create characteristic sounds that should be taken as warning signs that your AC is underperforming. Your air conditioner will use more energy to overcome the strain of worn mechanical parts.
Grinding and squealing noises could be a sign that your blower motor needs lubrication, or that your furnace blower belt is worn. A hissing or bubbling noise could point to a refrigerant leak in your central air conditioner.
3. Frequent AC Repairs
Every air conditioner needs regular maintenance service from a qualified HVAC professional. However, you should take note if you've recently needed to call for repair services more frequently. If your AC frequently breaks down or fails to produce cold air, it may be reaching the end of its life.
With proper care and maintenance, central air conditioners can last 15 to 20 years on average. As your system gets older, mechanical problems will become harder to keep up with, and you may start spending more on repairs than it would cost to simply replace your AC with a more efficient model.
If your central air conditioner has become a drain on your wallet through rising energy costs, repair or replacement is worth considering. Get a professional opinion from a local HVAC contractor such as Turnbull Heating & Air Conditioning to find the best solution for your underperforming AC.
Share31 October 2022
Last summer, I began to get extremely hot in my home. My air conditioning system couldn’t adequately keep my home cool anymore. Therefore, I contacted an experienced HVAC contractor. This individual visited my home and thoroughly inspected my unit. If your air conditioner isn’t working like it once did, your air ducts may be clogged up. Thankfully, an expert HVAC contractor can determine if faulty air ducts are the cause of the hot temperatures inside your home. On this blog, you will discover how an HVAC contractor can properly inspect your air ducts. Stay cool and comfortable during the hot summer months!