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 keeps outdoor pollution from circulating in your house. It helps you sleep more peacefully. But while air conditioning can help you continue to be 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 suggest replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. Although, if you are seeing reoccurring challenges with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider options 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 functions by cooling air over evaporator coils, which generates condensation. If there’s condensation, mold can be present. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can equal sickness. More often, though, mold and bacteria can bother preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Regular maintenance can help reduce 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 seeing expensive repairs more often. That’s not just bad for your wallet. 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 especially important here, because HVAC units with older wiring are the culprit for hundreds of house fires annually. 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 you cool. 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 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 home 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 continues to work hard, it can lose 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 greatly. With a new air conditioner, you can skip 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 contaminants 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 house, give our team a call at 515-207-6569 or book an appointment with us online. Our professionals are happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.