Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s hot outside. It can deter serious health issues from risky heat waves. It stops outdoor pollution from circulating in your indoor space. It helps you sleep more deeply. But while air conditioning can help you stay healthy and comfortable, an older unit can have 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. But, if you are seeing reoccurring problems with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider options beyond repairs and more regular 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 operates 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 cause sickness. More commonly, though, mold and bacteria can bother preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Ongoing maintenance can help eliminate 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 budget. Your air conditioner is part of a complex appliance that functions throughout your house. When it doesn’t operate as it should, it can be dangerous for your home. The electrical component of your system is extremely 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 might be putting your family’s health at risk.
Possible Leaks
Air conditioners use refrigerant to keep your home cooler. But not all versions of refrigerant are created equal. As the HVAC industry has evolved, we’ve started incorporating safer versions of it—especially in the last 15 years. However, refrigerant can still make your family not feel well. Mild exposure can bring headaches and dizziness, but prolonged exposure can have more serious health effects. If you think 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 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 reduce its cooling power and efficiency. That could result in 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 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. 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 worried your current air conditioner could be harming your family’s health or want to see what a new air conditioner could do for your home, give our experts a call at 270-358-3167 or schedule an appointment with us online. Our team is happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.