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 halts outdoor pollution from circulating in your house. 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
As a general rule of thumb, HVAC professionals advise replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. Although, 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 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 cause sickness. More regularly, though, mold and bacteria can irritate preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Regular 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 the higher the chance 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 functions throughout your house. When it doesn’t operate as it should, it can be dangerous for your home. The electrical component of your system is very important here, because HVAC units with older wiring are the culprit for hundreds of house fires every 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 you cool. But not all types 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 bring headaches and dizziness, but continued 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. 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 ages, it can reduce its cooling power and efficiency. That could mean sleepless nights when you’re unable to cool down. It could also leave you feeling uncomfortable or sick when the temperature outside rises exponentially. 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 protect you from outdoor pollution using your regular filter. And changing that filter as needed 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 anxious that 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 410-228-4822 or arrange an appointment with us online. We are happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.