Check for High Indoor Humidity
One sign that your AC isn’t running efficiently is lingering humidity. Your cooling system should not only lower temperatures but also remove moisture from the air. If your home feels damp or clammy, or you’re noticing condensation on windows, it could be a sign that your AC is either oversized or nearing the end of its service life.
Short cycling and excess moisture often indicate that the unit is too large, which prevents it from running long enough to dehumidify properly. Oversized units also wear out faster and are less efficient overall. Another culprit could be worn-out evaporator coils, which make it harder for the system to manage humidity.
Review Your Energy Usage Over Time
If your energy bills have been creeping up month after month, it’s worth taking a closer look. Compare your current energy usage—not just your costs—to previous years. If usage is increasing without a major change in weather or thermostat settings, your HVAC system may be losing efficiency.
Make sure to consider outside factors like unusually cold winters or changes in your household’s heating and cooling preferences. If you’ve ruled those out, your AC or furnace may be getting older and starting to underperform.
Consider the Age of Your HVAC Equipment
When you have an older HVAC system , they tend to lose efficiency—especially after the first 6 to 7 years of use. While most air conditioners are built to last 12 to 15 years, a noticeable decline in performance often begins well before that mark. If your system is over a decade old, newer models on the market likely offer significant improvements in energy savings and overall performance.
Watch for Uneven Heating or Cooling
Cold or hot spots throughout your home can signal that your HVAC system isn’t keeping up. Uneven temperature distribution may indicate reduced system output, improper sizing, or ductwork issues. A system that's too small will run longer and work harder, increasing wear and decreasing efficiency. On the flip side, if your unit is too large, it may cycle too quickly and fail to maintain consistent temperatures.
Inspect Your Attic Insulation
Poor attic insulation can lead to major heat loss, especially during Utah’s colder months. One way to tell if your insulation is lacking is to look at your roof during the winter. If snow melts off your roof faster than your neighbors’, it's a good sign that heat is escaping through the attic. Ice dams along your roofline are another red flag, often caused by inconsistent roof temperatures and inadequate insulation.
Test the Air Temperature at Vents
To evaluate cooling performance, measure the air temperature coming out of your supply registers. The difference between room temperature and the supply air should be around 15–20 degrees. You can test this by placing a thermometer near a supply vent for five minutes, then doing the same at a return vent. If the difference is minimal, your AC system may not be cooling as efficiently as it should.
Check Windows and Doors for Drafts
Even if your HVAC system is working efficiently, leaky windows and doors can undercut your efforts. Drafts around these areas allow conditioned air to escape and outside air to enter, making your system work harder. Installing weatherstripping and using draft blockers can help seal leaks and improve overall efficiency.
Evaluate Whether Your HVAC System Is Zoned
Zoned HVAC systems allow you to control the temperature in different areas of your home independently. This is especially useful in larger or multi-level homes where certain rooms may not need heating or cooling all the time. With a zoned system, you can reduce energy use by limiting airflow to unused spaces, maximizing comfort without overworking your system.
At Blue Best Plumbing, Heating, Air, & Generators, we specialize in helping Bountiful homeowners improve whole-home efficiency through expert repairs, system upgrades, and preventive maintenance. If your HVAC system could use a performance boost—or if you're ready to explore more energy-efficient options—give us a call today!
