As far as your HVAC system goes, what’s out of sight is usually out of mind – unless it suddenly stops heating or cooling your home. But don’t assume that, because things appear just fine, your system is running at peak performance. As units age, they become less efficient, resulting in higher energy usage and increased utility bills.

Are you concerned that your HVAC system may not be as efficient as it once was and is wasting money?  Here are seven signs to look for.

1. Temperature Fluctuations

The sizing, design, and routine maintenance of the air-handler, the indoor unit responsible for moving air throughout your home, and the ductwork  that distributes conditioned air are critical to achieving ideal indoor comfort. If poorly sized or designed, or not properly maintained, you can experience hot and cold spots from room to room.

2. Excess Humidity

Do you feel sticky and clammy even when the AC is running? An efficient air conditioning system should not only control the temperature but humidity as well. As warm air passes over a unit’s evaporator coils, the moisture condenses, thereby removing moisture from the air. If, however, the evaporator coils are not cold enough, it will not remove excess moisture. As a result, you’ll find yourself lowering the thermostat, forcing the system to work harder and consume more energy.

3. Running Constantly

A poorly sized HVAC system will struggle to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, translating into substantial energy waste. Perhaps you added on to your home without updating the HVAC to match the now larger footprint. Or you thought a larger system would cool your home better and faster. Either way, it will run constantly if undersized or cycle on and off frequently if over-sized, resulting in excess wear on the system and increased energy bills.

4. Cooling or Heating the Entire House

Older HVAC systems feature a single system and a single thermostat. The problem with this approach is that it requires large amounts of energy to condition the air in every room at once, plus it does nothing to guarantee individual comfort for everyone in the home. A better solution is zoned heating and cooling so you can warm or cool your home as you use it.

5. Unexplained Increase in Utility Bills

Unless your utility company has increased your rates, you’ve recently installed an energy-intensive appliance, or you’ve started putting higher demands on your HVAC system, your monthly costs should be fairly consistent year to year. With older units that lose efficiency, a slight increase in costs is normal, but big fluctuations are not. If your utility bills have skyrocketed, your HVAC system may be on its last leg.

6. More Frequent Repairs

Like many other things, HVAC systems require the occasional repair. But if you’re making an increased number of calls to your HVAC company, one or more of the units could be wearing out and drawing excess energy in an attempt to provide indoor comfort.

7. Aging System

The Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program recommends replacing air conditioners and heat pumps after 10 years, and furnaces and boilers after 15 years. Replacing a 10-year-old HVAC system with a high-efficiency system will translate into reduced energy consumption and immediate savings on operating costs.

Is your HVAC system struggling to keep you comfortable? Contact C&D Cooling & Heating today for a thorough analysis and problem diagnosis. For problems large and small, and for all makes and models of HVAC systems, we’re ready to get to work on your behalf.