In the thick of a hot, Texas summer, most homeowners rely on air conditioners to keep homes cool and comfortable. If your cooling system has been underperforming lately or hasn’t been as reliable as you’d like, you may be questioning whether or not it’s on its last leg. Here are three signs to watch for that signal the air conditioner life span may be coming to an end.
- Excessive humidity – In addition to cooling your home, a properly functioning A/C also removes humidity from the indoor air thanks to the evaporator coil, which condenses the water vapor in the air, sending it down the drain and outside. A system that’s malfunctioning or improperly sized may be unable to regulate humidity levels, which can lead to discomfort and the growth of mold or mildew. The rise in humidity may also be caused by leaky ductwork. Your HVAC contractor will be able to determine the exact cause and solution to the problem.
- Outrageous energy bills – Factoring in the natural rise in fuel costs, a steady increase in energy bills is a sign your air conditioner life span may be coming to an end. Depending on the age and seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) of your current system, it may be more cost effective to replace it with a new energy-efficient unit with a higher rating. An older 8 SEER system uses almost 50 percent more energy than a new 15 SEER unit.
- Old age – An A/C that’s less than 10 years old can still benefit from routine annual maintenance, which can increase the performance and extend the life span of the unit. One that’s older than 10 years, which costs more each year to operate and repair, is more cost effective to replace, saving you time and money while providing added peace of mind.
For more information regarding your air conditioner life span or any other HVAC concerns, give us a call at Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating. We proudly serving homeowners in Allen, Frisco and McKinney, as well as the surrounding areas.
