Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s scorching outside. It can deter serious health issues from unsafe heat waves. It halts outdoor pollution from circulating in your home. It helps you sleep more deeply. 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
As a general rule of thumb, HVAC professionals advise replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. But, if you are noticing reoccurring problems with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider your choices beyond repairs and routine cleaning. Here are some issues that could influence your family’s health and should prompt you to consider a new system.
Mold and Mildew
Your air conditioner works by cooling air over evaporator coils, which creates condensation. If there’s condensation, mold can be present. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can result in sickness. More commonly, though, mold and bacteria can aggravate preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Ongoing 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 functions 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 accountable 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 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 sick. Mild exposure can create headaches and dizziness, but continued 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. It can also 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 lead to 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, think about adding an air purification system to a new air conditioner. When combined, they’ll keep your home nice and cool, while filtering out more irritants from the outdoors—like dirt, dust or pollen.
If you’re anxious that your current air conditioner could be harming your family’s health or want to see what a new air conditioner could do for your indoor space, give us a call at 304-707-0600 or arrange an appointment with us online. Our professionals are happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.