Air conditioning is more than just a comfort for when it’s scorching outside. It can deter serious health issues from unsafe heat waves. It keeps outdoor pollution from circulating in your home. It helps you sleep more deeply. 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
As a general rule of thumb, HVAC professionals advise replacing air conditioning units when they are more than 10 years old. But, if you are seeing reoccurring issues with your system before that, it doesn’t hurt to consider your choices beyond repairs and ongoing 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 works by cooling air over evaporator coils, which makes condensation. Where 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 aggravate preexisting lung conditions and allergies. Routine 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 increased likelihood that you’re seeing expensive repairs more often. That’s not just bad for your checking account. 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 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 could 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 types 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 ill. Mild exposure can cause headaches and dizziness, but prolonged exposure can have more serious health effects. If you suspect 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 space more comfortable. It can also 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 decrease 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 greatly. With a new air conditioner, you can dodge 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, 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 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 indoor space, give us a call at 360-255-5857 or book an appointment with us online. Our professionals are happy to help you find a solution that works for your home.