Taking care of your AC can extend its life and increase efficiency. According to American Scientist, only 42% of homeowners call HVAC technicians for routine maintenance, and that routine maintenance can extend the life of an AC by 40%. If you've been neglecting AC maintenance, here are four signs that you have an inefficient AC.

1. Inconsistent Temperatures

If you notice that some areas of your home are much cooler than others, that could be a sign that your AC isn't efficient. An inefficient AC can lead to inconsistent temperatures throughout your home, and that problem could be caused by something as simple as a bad air filter. If the temperature in your home is inconsistent, it's time to get air conditioning companies involved.

2. Expensive Electric Bills

Cooling your home isn't cheap, but it shouldn't cost you a fortune either. Keep an eye on your electric bill and look for any sudden spikes or unexplained changes. You should expect to pay a little more during high-demand months, but there's a good chance you've got an AC problem if your bill suddenly increases by $100 or more.

3. Constant Cycling

Your thermostat tells your air conditioner when to kick on based on the temperature inside your home. If there's a problem with your AC or thermostat, you may notice that your AC is turning on and off more than usual. Constant cycling on and off is a problem that air conditioning companies deal with all the time, and it can cost you a lot of money if you don't hire a professional soon.

4. Lack of Cooling Power

You expect your AC to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, but that's not always the case with inefficient ACs. If your home simply isn't getting cool enough even when your AC has been running for hours on end, it may be time to have a technician repair or replace your AC unit.

Having reliable air conditioning makes life much easier during the summer, which is why air conditioning companies recommend having your AC maintained at least once per year. Is your AC struggling to cool your home or costing you more than usual? Give Jorden's Air Conditioning & Heating a call, and we'll get to the bottom of it.