Fine wines, iconic music, and great cooking recipes are just a few of the many things that get better with age. The same can't be said about your home's air conditioning system, however. If and when your A/C system starts to act its age, it can cause a wide variety of expensive and time-consuming problems. You can tell if old age is getting to your A/C system if it's experiencing the following issues.

It's Losing Its Cool

Poor performance is usually one of the first indicators that your A/C system is feeling its age. It's not unusual for an A/C system's performance to decline due to cumulative wear and tear on various A/C components. Various changes in your home can also result in your A/C system not having the performance it once had. For example, adding a new room on to your home can increase its cooling demands, resulting in reduced performance over time.

While a minor drop in cooling performance can be dealt with through a thorough inspection and a few changes to your A/C system, a sharp drop is usually indicative of an A/C system that needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

It Needs Frequent Repairs

Another common sign of an A/C system that's feeling its age is the fact that it requires frequent repairs just to keep going. Countless years of ordinary wear and tear can take a toll on just about any A/C system, resulting in an unreliable unit that breaks down on a regular basis.

It's not just the fact that an A/C breakdown can leave you sweltering when you least expect it — those emergency service calls can also add up, resulting in rather expensive repair costs. If your A/C system experiences frequent breakdowns or if the cost of repairing your system is more than the cost of purchasing and installing a new one, then you may want consider a new A/C system.

It's Using More Energy Than Before

It's not unexpected for an A/C system to turn into an energy hog in the twilight of its service life. Cumulative wear and tear and increased loads are usually to blame, turning an A/C system that was reasonably efficient in its heyday into one that's causing your utility bills to skyrocket. Chronic repair issues and overall neglect can also take a toll on your A/C system and your utility bills.

Differences in efficiency standards among older A/C units and their younger counterparts are also a factor. What was once considered energy efficient 25 years ago may not be anywhere near efficient today. Even systems built 10 years ago are not as efficient as today's modern A/C equipment.

It Struggles With Controlling Humidity

A/C systems also play an important role in regulating your home's humidity levels, especially if you live in a relatively humid location. Not only does your air conditioner pull heat out of your home's indoor air, but it also pulls moisture out of the air. The moisture condenses into a liquid form that's eventually expelled from the A/C system.

An A/C system that's unable to remove excess moisture from indoor air can easily make that air feel cold and clammy to the average person. If your A/C system is having a hard time keeping your home's indoor humidity under control, then it may be a sign that your current A/C system isn't long for this world.

It's Overdue for Replacement

Like most other appliances and equipment, A/C systems have a finite lifespan. Most manufacturers design their A/C systems to deliver anywhere from 12 to 15 years of reliable service before problems start to develop. Afterwards, there's no guarantee that your A/C system will run reliably without plenty of constant intervention.

For this reason, most experts recommend that you consider replacing your current A/C system if it's over 10 years old. You might also want to think about a replacement if your A/C unit relies on R-22, a refrigerant that's currently being phased out of use in favor of R-410a.

For additional information, contact a company like Always Ready Repair.