Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s warm outside. It can deter serious health issues from dangerous heat waves. It keeps outdoor pollution from circulating in your indoor space. It helps you sleep more soundly. But while air conditioning can help you stay 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. But, if you are noticing reoccurring challenges with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider your choices beyond repairs and ongoing cleaning. Here are some issues that could impact your family’s health and should prompt you to consider a new air conditioner.
Mold and Mildew
Your air conditioner functions by cooling air over evaporator coils, which creates condensation. When there’s condensation, mold can grow. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can equal sickness. More commonly, though, mold and bacteria can aggravate preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Regular maintenance can help eliminate 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 paying for expensive repairs more often. That’s not just bad for your checking account. Your air conditioner is part of a complex appliance that operates throughout your house. When it isn’t working properly, 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 the air in your house colder. But not all versions of refrigerant are created equal. As the HVAC industry has evolved, we’ve started incorporating 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 suspect 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 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 gets older, it can decrease its cooling power and efficiency. That could lead to sleepless nights when you’re unable to cool down. It could also leave you feeling uncomfortable or sick when the temperature outside rises to the extremes. With a new air conditioner, you can dodge 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, 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 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 house, give us a call at 979-323-6130 or schedule an appointment with us online. Our team is happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.