Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s warm outside. It can prevent serious health issues from risky heat waves. It keeps outdoor pollution from circulating in your home. It helps you sleep more deeply. But while air conditioning can help you stay healthy and comfortable, an older unit can create negative health effects for your family. Here are some things to consider if you’re thinking of replacing your home’s air conditioner.
Potential Health Hazards from Old Air Conditioners
Usually, HVAC professionals suggest replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. However, if you are seeing reoccurring challenges with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider solutions beyond repairs and ongoing cleaning. Here are some issues that could affect your family’s health and should prompt you to consider a new system.
Mold and Mildew
Your air conditioner functions by cooling air over evaporator coils, which generates condensation. If there’s condensation, mold can be present. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can result in sickness. More commonly, though, mold and bacteria can aggravate preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Routine maintenance can help get rid of any mold growth, but broken components in aging system can help mold spread.
Electrical Components
The older your HVAC system is, the increased likelihood that you’re paying for expensive repairs more often. That’s not just bad for your wallet. Your air conditioner is part of a complex appliance that operates throughout your house. When it breaks down, it can be dangerous for your home. The electrical component of your system is extremely important here, because HVAC units with older wiring are responsible for hundreds of house fires every year. The longer you put off replacing your system, the longer you might be putting your family’s health at risk.
Possible Leaks
Air conditioners use refrigerant to keep you cool. But not all types of refrigerant are created equal. As the HVAC industry has evolved, we’ve changes to safer versions of it—especially in the last 15 years. However, refrigerant can still make your family ill. Mild exposure can bring headaches and dizziness, but prolonged exposure can have more serious health effects. If you suspect you have a leak, call a professional immediately.
Benefits from New HVAC Units and Features
A new air conditioner can do a lot to make your space more comfortable. It can also help your family be a little healthier, especially when you add some more modern features to it.
Improved Comfort
As your air conditioner ages, it can reduce its cooling power and efficiency. That could result in sleepless nights when you’re hot. It could also leave you feeling uncomfortable or sick when the temperature outside rises to the extremes. With a new air conditioner, you can skip all that, and keep your family happy and healthy.
Purer Air
Any good air conditioning system helps protect you from outdoor pollution using your regular filter. And changing that filter regularly is an important part of keeping your home healthy. If you want to take that a step further, consider adding an air purification system to a new air conditioner. When combined, they’ll keep your home nice and cool, while filtering out more pollutants from the outdoors—like dirt, dust or pollen.
If you’re concerned your current air conditioner could be harming your family’s health or want to see what a new air conditioner could do for your indoor space, give our experts a call at 760-784-9034 or arrange an appointment with us online. Our professionals are happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.