Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s scorching outside. It can save you from serious health issues from unsafe heat waves. It halts outdoor pollution from circulating in your home. It helps you sleep more peacefully. But while air conditioning can help you stay healthy and comfortable, an older unit can have negative health effects for your family. Here are some factors to consider if you’re thinking of replacing your home’s air conditioner.
Potential Health Hazards from Old Air Conditioners
As a general rule of thumb, HVAC professionals recommend 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 more regular cleaning. Here are some issues that could affect your family’s health and should prompt you to consider a new unit.
Mold and Mildew
Your air conditioner works by cooling air over evaporator coils, which creates condensation. If there’s condensation, mold can be present. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can result in sickness. More regularly, though, mold and bacteria can irritate preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Routine maintenance can help get rid of any mold growth, but broken pieces in aging system can help mold spread.
Electrical Components
The older your HVAC system is, the increased likelihood that you’re seeing expensive repairs more often. That’s not just bad for your budget. Your air conditioner is part of a complex appliance that functions throughout your house. When it isn’t working properly, it can be dangerous for your home. The electrical component of your system is extremely important here, because HVAC units with older wiring are accountable for hundreds of house fires each year. The longer you put off replacing your system, the longer you could be putting your family’s health at risk.
Possible Leaks
Air conditioners use refrigerant to keep the air in your house colder. But not all versions of refrigerant are created equal. As the HVAC industry has evolved, we’ve begun using safer versions of it—especially in the last 15 years. However, refrigerant can still make your family ill. Mild exposure can cause headaches and dizziness, but continued exposure can have more serious health effects. If you suspect you have a leak, contact a professional immediately.
Benefits from New HVAC Units and Features
A new air conditioner can do a lot to make your house more comfortable. Some of the latest technologies can help your family be a little healthier, especially when you add some more modern features to it.
Improved Comfort
As your air conditioner continues to work hard, it can reduce its cooling power and efficiency. That could lead to sleepless nights when you’re just too warm. It could also leave you feeling uncomfortable or sick when the temperature outside rises greatly. With a new air conditioner, you can avoid all that, and keep your family happy and healthy.
Purer Air
Any good air conditioning system helps guard 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. Working as a team, they’ll keep your home nice and cool, while filtering out more irritants from the outdoors—like dirt, dust or pollen.
If you’re anxious that your current air conditioner could be hurting your family’s health or want to see what a new air conditioner could do for your house, give our experts a call at 740-200-5591 or book an appointment with us online. Our team is happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.