How To Tell if Your AC Is Running Efficiently

An AC that’s running doesn’t necessarily mean it’s running well. Your system might be keeping you cool while burning through way more energy than it should. Here in Acadiana, where your air conditioner works hard from April through October, a small efficiency problem adds up fast on your monthly bill. Here are a few ways to check how your system is actually performing.

Review Your Home Energy Bills and Your Recent Repair Costs

Perform a historical energy bill review and compare your bills from last year’s cooling season to your bills for the current one. You shouldn’t have any substantial increases in your home energy costs unless you’ve made substantial changes in the home equipment that you’re using or in your general life habits. When noticeable increases occur in households that remain virtually unchanged from year to year, an aging, failing, or poorly maintained air conditioner is the most likely culprit.

You should also tally up the cumulative costs of recent AC repairs. A regular need for AC repair services likely means that your system is nearing the end of its lifespan or that major and important components are starting to fail. Both of these issues can make your air conditioner work much harder than normal while driving up your utility bills.

Make Sure That Your Equipment Hasn’t Reached the End of Its Lifespan

The one thing that’s guaranteed to impact AC efficiency is age. Most cooling systems can last up to 15 years, but every air conditioner starts losing efficiency after about 10 years. Upgrading an outdated system saves you money, boosts your home’s value, and gives you access to modern features like variable-speed compressors and smart thermostat integration.

Look for Even Temperatures Throughout

Unless your air conditioner is zoned to provide customized cooling, you should have even temperatures throughout the entire home. Hot and cold spots in the building may mean that your air conditioner is too large or too small. Hot and cold spots can also indicate blockages or air leaks throughout the ductwork. By having these and other issues resolved, you can limit energy waste and scale back your spending.

We’ve been helping Acadiana homeowners get more from their cooling systems since 1956. If your energy bills are climbing, your system is over 10 years old, or you’re noticing hot spots in certain rooms, those are all signs worth investigating. Call F & R Air Conditioning at (337) 893-5646 for a professional AC inspection and we’ll tell you exactly where you stand.