If you are concerned about your aging air conditioner and wonder if it has another summer or two in it before it finally gives up the ghost, then it's important you know the signs indicating failure is near.

Listed below are the most common indicators an air conditioning unit is near the end of its life:

The Air Conditioner Runs All The Time But Your Home Isn't Ever Cool Enough

If you notice your air conditioner seems to always be running while your family members are complaining the house still feels too warm, then this is a sure sign your air conditioner is starting to wear out. As the system ages, small leaks of freon and other age-related problems will make the system work harder, yet it will produce less overall cooling. If you let the system run all day and night, this will then speed up the failure process because it will overtax the compressor.

Your Energy Bills Keep Rising While Your Home Never Seems As Cool As It Once Was

If your energy bills keep rising each summer despite the fact that the power company has not raised their rates, this is another sign your air conditioner may soon need to be replaced. An aging system will have to work harder to achieve the same level of cooling, and as it does, it will perpetually be wearing itself out in the process. 

Your Indoor Air Quality Is Lacking Despite Regularly Changing The System's Filter

As air conditioners and furnaces start to fail, they often produce worse air quality than newer or better functioning systems do. If you have been regularly changing the HVAC system's filter and yet your indoor air quality seems lacking, this can be a sign of a systemic problem that needs attention.

You Hear Strange Noises Coming From The Air Conditioner During Its Operation

All HVAC systems make some noise while running. However, once you start to hear any of the following noises, you should be concerned about possible mechanical problems:

• squeaking
• squealing
• banging
• buzzing
• grinding

In addition, some problems will cause the system to delay its start or make noise just when the air conditioner starts running.

Your Air Conditioner Is More Than A Decade Old

Once your air conditioner is more than a decade old, the time is approaching for it needing to be replaced. The good news is that a newer air conditioner will be more energy efficient so part of its cost will be offset by lower power bills each summer.

For more information on air conditioning replacement, contact a company such as Astro Air Inc.