Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s warm 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 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
Usually, HVAC professionals recommend replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. Although, if you are observing reoccurring issues with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider your choices beyond repairs and ongoing 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 operates by cooling air over evaporator coils, which creates condensation. When there’s condensation, mold can develop. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can cause sickness. More commonly, though, mold and bacteria can aggravate preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Regular 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 the higher the chance that you’re scheduling expensive repairs more often. That’s not just bad for your budget. Your air conditioner is part of a complex appliance that works throughout your house. When it breaks down, it can be dangerous for your home. The electrical component of your system is extremely 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 might 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 forms 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 not feel well. Mild exposure can bring headaches and dizziness, but lengthy exposure can have more serious health effects. If you think 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 space more comfortable. Newer systems have technology that 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 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 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 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. Working as a team, 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 impacting your family’s health or want to see what a new air conditioner could do for your home, give our team a call at 703-260-1148 or book an appointment with us online. Our professionals are happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.