How To Tell the Difference Between Bad Insulation and a Bad Air Conditioning System
When it comes to maintaining an optimal temperature in your Austin home, two factors come into play: your air conditioning system and your insulation. But when you notice your home isn’t as cool or comfortable as you’d like, or if your energy bills are skyrocketing, how can you tell if your ac system is having issues or if you have insulation problems allowing conditioned air to escape.?
Our team at ABA Heating and Cooling will break down the potential causes and what you can look for to identify air conditioning issues in your home.
1. Inconsistent Room Temperatures
Bad Insulation: One sign of poor insulation is inconsistent temperatures throughout your home. If one room is cold and the next is warm, it could be due to gaps in your insulation, allowing external heat to enter or cool air to escape.
Faulty AC System: If all the rooms in your home are consistently warmer than your set temperature, the problem might lie with your air conditioning system. The unit might be struggling to cool the air. Listen to see how often your air conditioning system turns on and off. If your AC system is turning on and off frequently, then you may have a problem that is affecting the cooling ability of your system.
2. Higher Energy Bills Than Normal
Bad Insulation: A consistent increase in your energy bills, especially when you haven’t changed your thermostat settings, can indicate poor insulation or that your insulation is becoming less effective over time. With insufficient insulation, your home can’t retain cool air, forcing your AC to work overtime.
Faulty AC System: An old or malfunctioning AC system will be less energy-efficient, consuming more power to produce the same amount of cooling. If the system needs frequent repairs or if it’s older than 15 years, contact our experts. We can help identify potential problems and recommend a new energy-efficient air conditioning system.
3. Cold Walls, Ceilings, and Floors
Bad Insulation: Touch your home’s walls, ceilings, or floors. If they feel cold in winters or warm in summers, you’re dealing with insulation issues.
Faulty AC System: A malfunctioning AC system won’t affect the temperature of these surfaces.
4. Drafts In Your Home
Bad Insulation: Drafts, especially near windows, doors, or attic hatches, often point to insulation problems. These drafts can allow cool air to escape, making your home feel warmer.
Faulty AC System: A poorly functioning AC won’t cause drafts. However, if the AC system isn’t cooling the home properly, drafts from bad insulation can make your home more uncomfortable.
5. The Age Of Your Home or AC System
Bad Insulation: Over the years insulation standards have increased. Older homes, especially those built before energy efficiency standards were established, are more likely to have inadequate insulation.
Faulty AC System: The age of your AC unit plays a critical role. Systems over 10-15 years won’t be as energy efficient as newer models and might require more frequent repairs or replacement.
6. Ice Build Up
Bad Insulation: Poor insulation won’t cause ice to buildup on your AC system.
Faulty AC System: If you notice ice forming on the external components of your AC, it’s a clear sign that the unit is malfunctioning, possibly due to low refrigerant levels or airflow issues.
Contact A Professional for An Inspection If You Have Questions
If you’ve determined that bad insulation is the culprit, consider consulting professionals to inspect and upgrade your insulation. If your air conditioning system is to blame, ABA Heating and Cooling is here to help. Our team of HVAC experts has over 20 years of experience and will ensure that your home remains comfortable no matter how hot it is outside.
