Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s hot outside. It can deter serious health issues from risky 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 keep healthy and comfortable, an older unit can have negative health effects for your family. Here are some factors to consider if you’re thinking of replacing your home’s air conditioner.
Potential Health Hazards from Old Air Conditioners
Typically, HVAC professionals advise replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. But, if you are seeing reoccurring problems 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 functions 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 equal sickness. More commonly, though, mold and bacteria can aggravate 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 the higher the chance that you’re scheduling expensive repairs more often. That’s not just bad for your checking account. Your air conditioner is part of a complex appliance that works 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 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 could 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 not feel well. Mild exposure can bring headaches and dizziness, but continued exposure can have more serious health effects. If you think 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 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 gets older, it can reduce its cooling power and efficiency. That could result in sleepless nights when you’re just too warm. 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 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. When combined, 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 home, give our team a call at 209-257-3156 or book an appointment with us online. Our professionals are happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.