Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s hot outside. It can prevent serious health issues from dangerous heat waves. It keeps outdoor pollution from circulating in your indoor space. It helps you sleep more peacefully. 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 items to consider if you’re thinking of replacing your home’s air conditioner.
Potential Health Hazards from Old Air Conditioners
Typically, HVAC professionals suggest replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. But, if you are seeing reoccurring issues with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider options beyond repairs and routine 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 grow. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can equal sickness. More often, though, mold and bacteria can bother preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Ongoing maintenance can help reduce 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 seeing 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 especially important here, because HVAC units with older wiring are accountable 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 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 sick. Mild exposure can bring headaches and dizziness, but lengthy exposure can have more serious health effects. If you are concerned 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 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 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 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, contemplate adding an air purification system to a new air conditioner. Together, they’ll keep your home nice and cool, while filtering out more contaminants from the outdoors—like dirt, dust or pollen.
If you’re concerned your current air conditioner could be impacting 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 254-307-9572 or schedule an appointment with us online. We are happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.