Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s hot outside. It can prevent serious health issues from dangerous heat waves. It stops outdoor pollution from circulating in your home. It helps you sleep more peacefully. But while air conditioning can help you continue to be 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
As a general rule of thumb, HVAC professionals suggest replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. However, if you are observing reoccurring challenges with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider options beyond repairs and routine 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 operates by cooling air over evaporator coils, which generates condensation. When there’s condensation, mold can grow. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can cause sickness. More commonly, though, mold and bacteria can irritate preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Ongoing 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 more likely it is that you’re paying for 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 breaks down, it can be dangerous for your home. The electrical component of your system is very important here, because HVAC units with older wiring are responsible 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 you cool. 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 create headaches and dizziness, but prolonged exposure can have more serious health effects. If you are concerned 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 house 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 lose 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 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 regularly 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. When combined, they’ll keep your home nice and cool, while filtering out more pollutants from the outdoors—like dirt, dust or pollen.
If you’re anxious that your current air conditioner could be hurting your family’s health or want to see what a new air conditioner could do for your home, give our team a call at 281-231-8768 or book an appointment with us online. We are happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.