Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s hot outside. It can deter serious health issues from unsafe heat waves. It keeps outdoor pollution from circulating in your house. It helps you sleep more deeply. But while air conditioning can help you continue to be healthy and comfortable, an older unit can produce 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 recommend replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. But, 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 influence your family’s health and should prompt you to consider a new air conditioner.
Mold and Mildew
Your air conditioner works by cooling air over evaporator coils, which makes condensation. If there’s condensation, mold can grow. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can cause sickness. More commonly, though, mold and bacteria can bother preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Routine maintenance can help eliminate mold growth, but broken pieces in aging system can help mold spread.
Electrical Components
The older your HVAC system is, the more likely it is that you’re scheduling expensive repairs more often. That’s not just bad for your checking account. Your air conditioner is part of a complex appliance that works throughout your house. When it isn’t working properly, it can be dangerous for your home. The electrical component of your system is especially important here, because HVAC units with older wiring are accountable for hundreds of house fires annually. 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 your home cooler. 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 sick. Mild exposure can create headaches and dizziness, but prolonged exposure can have more serious health effects. If you think you have a leak, reach out to a professional immediately.
Benefits from New HVAC Units and Features
A new air conditioner can do a lot to make your home 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 lose its cooling power and efficiency. That could mean sleepless nights when you’re hot. It could also leave you feeling uncomfortable or sick when the temperature outside rises greatly. 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, think about 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 indoor space, give our team a call at 949-317-4175 or arrange an appointment with us online. We are happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.