Having an air conditioner is a crucial part of maintaining a comfortable living space, especially in hot summer months and at a time where climate change is causing heatwaves. Air conditioners act as a refrigeration system for your home, office, or vehicle by removing warm air and replacing it with cool air, regulating the temperature so that your space is more enjoyable. Although ACs are quintessential for those balmy summer afternoons and warmer evenings, improper maintenance can cause problems that may lead to breathing complications and other health concerns. Schedule regular maintenance from a certified HVAC technician to ensure your unit is running safely and efficiently.
Call Smile HVAC AC repair services in Toronto for reliable and friendly AC maintenance, risk assessment, and repairs.Â
Most Common Air Conditioner Problems
It is essential to ensure that your AC unit is not contributing to your family, or employees’ poor health. Luckily, the most common air conditioner problems that could lead to health concerns are often avoidable or easily fixable. These could include:
- Dirty or poor quality filters
- Outdated AC units or parts
- Mold or bacterial buildup
You can overcome these problems with proper maintenance and assessment.
Dirty Air Filters
Air filters act to stop particles and dust from entering your space from the outside by working like a sieve. When air filters are not changed regularly, these pesky particles build up and might be entering your room at a higher frequency. This can cause respiratory issues, particularly for people with asthma and other pre-existing respiratory problems. Airborne dust and other particles can also increase allergic reactions and cause lung irritation. Not only does a dirty air filter lead to more airborne particles, but it may also lower the efficiency of your AC unit by clogging its coils, ultimately costing you more money. Make sure to check and change your air filter frequently, especially during summer months when your AC unit is used regularly.
Health Concerns related to dirty filters:
- Lung irritation
- Asthma flare-ups
- Worsening of existing respiratory problems
- Allergic reactions
- Itchy eyes
- Skin irritation
- Headaches
- Dizziness
Long-term effects could include respiratory or heart diseases and cancer.
Image alt tag: Dozens of air conditioning units hang outside the windows of an older-looking, six-story, brown apartment building.
Old Air Conditioning Units
Old air conditioning units can cause serious health problems. Technology has progressed a lot over the last few decades, and many older AC units have since been replaced; however, some of these ACs are still around in older homes and office buildings. Not only can these older units carry high levels of bacterial buildup, but they may also use refrigerants that are high in volatile chemicals that aren’t healthy for you or the environment.
Old ACs can also be a fire hazard due to parts being outdated or broken. If certain parts of your AC unit are broken or not working correctly, temperatures within the unit may rise to dangerous levels and lead to a fire. Wiring within the AC unit may also undergo deterioration creating a fire hazard. Make sure that your AC unit is up to date and regularly maintained to eliminate this danger.
Health Concerns:
- Breathing problems
- Asthma flare-ups
- Worsening of pre-existing respiratory problems
- Nasal congestion
- Skin irritation
- Headaches
- Chronic fatigue
- Fire hazards
Many of the symptoms listed above are attributed to what is known as ‘sick building syndrome.’ These symptoms are caused by a high level of contaminants in the air and might be experienced differently by different people with varying sensitivities.
Mold or Bacterial Buildup
Mold and bacterial buildup is a common problem for AC units that aren’t properly maintained. If mold develops within your air conditioner, it could spread to other areas of your home and cause health problems. The main reason that mold could occur is due to an accumulation of water and dust, and it’s essential to change your water regularly if your unit uses it. If your space is very humid or has highly porous surfaces such as wood (particularly surrounding your AC unit), it could encourage mold to grow. Ensure that your AC unit is properly fitted to your space so that no humidity or rain can enter from outside. Keep your window units and drains cleaned so that there is no food source for the mold and bacteria.
Health Concerns:
- Eye and nose irritation
- Runny nose
- Noisy breathing
- Cough
- Asthma flare-ups
- Chronic fatigue
- Headaches
Image alt text: An AC unit hangs outside of an elegantly barred window surrounded by trees and vegetation that grows up the grey, brick wall building.
Health Benefits of Air Conditioning
There is no doubt that air conditioning leads to a comfortable living space at work or at home, but other benefits to AC often go undiscussed. Rooms with lower temperatures reduce insects and parasites, and a properly maintained unit will also reduce external allergens such as pollen and internal allergens such as pet dander. AC units keep your air clean by filtering out pollution. An office that utilizes AC during hot summer days is shown to encourage better job performance and increase mental stimulation and physical activity. Lastly, an air-conditioned space decreases the chance of dehydration due to sweating.
Conclusion
It is possible for air conditioning to cause particular health concerns, but if your unit is properly maintained and repaired, the health concerns mentioned above should not become an issue. The benefits of an air-conditioned room outweigh the probability of health becoming something to worry over. Ensure you schedule regular cleaning and maintenance with a certified HVAC professional to ensure that your AC is running safely and efficiently.