Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s hot outside. It can save you from serious health issues from risky heat waves. It halts outdoor pollution from circulating in your indoor space. It helps you sleep more soundly. But while air conditioning can help you keep 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
Usually, HVAC professionals advise replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. Although, if you are seeing reoccurring challenges with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider your choices 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 air conditioner.
Mold and Mildew
Your air conditioner works by cooling air over evaporator coils, which generates condensation. When there’s condensation, mold can develop. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can cause sickness. More regularly, though, mold and bacteria can bother 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 paying for 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 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 responsible for hundreds of house fires every year. The longer you put off replacing your system, the longer you may be putting your family’s health at risk.
Possible Leaks
Air conditioners use refrigerant to keep your home cooler. But not all versions 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 lengthy exposure can have more serious health effects. If you think 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 decrease 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 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 as needed 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 pollutants from the outdoors—like dirt, dust or pollen.
If you’re worried your current air conditioner could be harming your family’s health or want to see what a new air conditioner could do for your home, give us a call at 541-238-2797 or book an appointment with us online. Our team is happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.