Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s scorching outside. It can prevent serious health issues from risky heat waves. It halts outdoor pollution from circulating in your indoor space. It helps you sleep more peacefully. 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 factors to consider if you’re thinking of replacing your home’s air conditioner.
Potential Health Hazards from Old Air Conditioners
Typically, HVAC professionals recommend replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. But, if you are noticing reoccurring issues with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider solutions beyond repairs and routine cleaning. Here are some issues that could influence your family’s health and should prompt you to consider a new air conditioner.
Mold and Mildew
Your air conditioner operates by cooling air over evaporator coils, which makes condensation. Where there’s condensation, mold can be present. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can result in sickness. More regularly, though, mold and bacteria can aggravate preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Routine maintenance can help reduce 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 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 functions throughout your house. When it isn’t working properly, it can be dangerous for your home. The electrical component of your system is extremely 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 might be putting your family’s health at risk.
Possible Leaks
Air conditioners use refrigerant to keep your home cooler. But not all forms 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 sick. Mild exposure can cause headaches and dizziness, but prolonged 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 gets older, it can decrease 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 avoid all that, and keep your family happy and healthy.
Purer Air
Any good air conditioning system helps defend you from outdoor pollution using your regular filter. And changing that filter frequently 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. Together, they’ll keep your home nice and cool, while filtering out more irritants from the outdoors—like dirt, dust or pollen.
If you’re concerned your current air conditioner could be hurting your family’s health or want to see what a new air conditioner could do for your house, give our experts a call at 775-230-7628 or schedule an appointment with us online. Our team is happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.