Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s hot outside. It can deter serious health issues from dangerous heat waves. It halts outdoor pollution from circulating in your home. It helps you sleep more peacefully. But while air conditioning can help you stay healthy and comfortable, an older unit can produce 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
Typically, HVAC professionals recommend replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. However, if you are noticing reoccurring problems with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider solutions beyond repairs and more regular cleaning. Here are some issues that could influence 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 develop. And where mold can grow, so can bacteria. That can equal sickness. More commonly, though, mold and bacteria can irritate 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 more likely it is that you’re scheduling expensive repairs more often. That’s not just bad for your wallet. 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 each 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 types 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 ill. Mild exposure can create headaches and dizziness, but continued exposure can have more serious health effects. If you suspect 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 gets older, it can lose its cooling power and efficiency. That could lead to 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 skip 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 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 impacting your family’s health or want to see what a new air conditioner could do for your home, give our team a call at 925-233-6238 or arrange an appointment with us online. Our professionals are happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.