Does an Air Conditioning System Affect Your Health?

Air conditioning is one of those things when just can’t do without today.

We all got used to turning the AC on conveniently as soon as the temperature makes us uncomfortable. But doing so can be harmful, and not just to our wallets.

Old and poorly-maintained AC units have been shown as factor in many health conditions, including respiratory conditions and the spread of some diseases.

AC preventative maintenance and air conditioning system are a must from this perspective, especially in Miami, where the temperature can sometimes crawl to otherwise unbearable highs.

Luckily, it’s quite easy to minimize those risk. Let us read on how!

Air conditioning is basically everywhere now. It’s in our homes, cars, and offices. This is why it is so important to maintain clan units to protect indoor air quality and personal well-being.

One popular service for this is air duct cleaning. While the EPA cannot provide evidence to support claims that cleaning you your home’s air ducts on a yearly basis will reduce health problems and other side effects, it does recommend cleaning if there is visible growth or a buildup of dust.

Professionals in the industry have already pointed out that visible dust and mold can pose potential health risks. As they’ve stated, the indoor section of an air conditioning unit creates condensation all summer long when it runs, and this is a prime catalyst for mold and mildew growth. As the system lays dormant over the winter or cooler months, the mold can spread and grow, and if not cleaned in a proper manner, it can create respiratory problems and bad odors. The blower wheel and motor also can become dist covered, which is a food source of mold to thrive.

Home renovations can also serve as good reasons to have your air ducts cleaned. Renovations, especially if the changes were made to remove asbestos or lead-based paint, can cause unwanted debris to get caught inside the ductwork.

But, if you just get all the debris and dust cleaned out of your AC system for the summer, you will ensure that you don’t end up circulating dust and other hazardous particles from the renovation throughout your home.

Hiring a professional to clean your air ducts is one way to ensure that your AC system won’t pose any health risks. In additional, you can take other steps to make your air conditioner safer.

For instance, if you check the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning or changing you unit’s air filters is one step. You can also open the windows as much as you want. Allowing fresh air to circulate in your home will flush out pollutants.

Let’s face it, AC systems will not last forever. Buying a new unit every ten years will ensure that your system won’t get old.

Using fan only mode may also help with maintenance and reducing AC system-associated health risks. The simplest, yet most effective way to play it safe is to turn off the unit at night or when the house is empty.

To be sure, have an HVAC technician perform an annual maintenance check. Last but not least, don’t neglect your AC unit in your car. Be sure to change cabin air filters every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.

There are many small steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your whole family against air contamination caused by dirty air conditioning units. Most of the time, it is simply a matter of thinking about it and remembering to act before things get more serious.