Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s hot outside. It can save you from serious health issues from risky heat waves. It keeps outdoor pollution from circulating in your home. It helps you sleep more soundly. But while air conditioning can help you continue to be healthy and comfortable, an older unit can have 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
Typically, HVAC professionals recommend replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. However, if you are seeing reoccurring problems with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider options beyond repairs and ongoing cleaning. Here are some issues that could impact 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 be present. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can result in sickness. More commonly, though, mold and bacteria can bother preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Regular maintenance can help reduce mold growth, but broken parts in aging system can help mold spread.
Electrical Components
The older your HVAC system is, the increased likelihood 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 works 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 the culprit for hundreds of house fires annually. 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 the air in your house colder. 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 sick. Mild exposure can cause headaches and dizziness, but lengthy exposure can have more serious health effects. If you are concerned you have a leak, contact 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 continues to work hard, it can reduce 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 exponentially. 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 regularly 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. Together, 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 house, give our team a call at 956-630-3522 or schedule an appointment with us online. Our professionals are happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.