5 Signs of Poor Summertime AC Efficiency

When the temperatures heat up and the humidity levels rise during the summer, your home’s air conditioning system is a necessity to maintain a comfortable indoor atmosphere. If your cooling unit isn’t able to keep up with the heat and moisture levels, you may notice a few warning signs. Here are five signs of poor summertime AC efficiency in your Woodbridge, Virginia, home:

Temperature Fluctuations

One of the most common signs of air conditioning inefficiency is fluctuations in the temperature between rooms. If one room is cool and comfortable while another is hot and humid, your unit could have a problem. Various factors impact how well your AC system can cool the space, including whether you’re keeping up with routine maintenance, how the system is designed, and the size of the air conditioner. If the design isn’t adequate for your home, air pressure may build up in the ducts. As a result, you’ll experience improper cooling in certain areas.

Failing to keep up with maintenance can also lead to hot and cold spots. When you don’t have the air conditioning system cleaned and tuned up regularly, debris can start to build up and impact airflow. Additionally, a service technician can look for signs of inefficiency and problems within your system during an annual tune-up. Failing to schedule yours can cost you a lot of money in wasted energy, resulting in higher bills.

Short Cycling

Short cycling occurs when the cooling system turns on and off frequently and doesn’t run for very long. This problem costs a lot of money on monthly bills because short cycling wastes more energy. You may experience short cycling if your HVAC system isn’t properly sized for your home.

If it’s constantly struggling to maintain the temperature you set on the thermostat, it’s important to get your unit checked by an experienced service technician. Oversized and undersized HVAC units will continue to cost you more money over their lifespans.

Rising Energy Bills

It’s normal for your cooling costs to go up during the hottest time of the year. But if your bills are extremely high from one month to the next, you may be dealing with a large AC efficiency issue. The cost to cool your home should also remain fairly consistent from year to year unless the energy company has raised your rates or you’ve added more appliances that rely on electricity. If your costs are steadily increasing and you haven’t changed your habits, your system’s efficiency is likely to blame.

More Frequent Repairs

When your air conditioner is nearing the end of its lifespan, it often breaks down more frequently. As a result, it requires more repairs. Constantly repairing an old, outdated,and inefficient air conditioning system is a waste of money. Instead of pouring funds into your current unit, consider upgrading to a new and more efficient air conditioner.

A service technician can help you determine whether your system would benefit from a repair or needs replacing. Although a new system will come at a cost, it’ll also bring a number of advantages, especially if your current system is more than a decade old. Some of these advantages include improved efficiency, better indoor air quality and even cooling throughout your home.

Stinky Odors

Bad odors in your indoor air could be caused by issues in your air conditioning system. A musty odor often indicates the presence of moisture in the ductwork or cooling unit, usually due to improper draining. If you smell an electrical odor, the wiring may be going bad, which could pose a safety hazard in your home. The smell of natural gas should warrant immediate concern as you may have a leak in your system. The problems associated with these odors can also indicate that your air conditioner isn’t able to function at peak efficiency.

Do you have problems with poor AC efficiency? Brennan’s Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help resolve them. Contact us at 703-783-0145 and fast and friendly service.

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