We may rely on ACs to beat the heat, but don’t you know why old air conditioners are dangerous to your health? Despite the relief it brings on a hot, summer day, it can pose serious risks like instilling allergens and lung problems.
New ACs can cool your rooms and improve air quality, but exposure to old units can pose health hazards enough to create serious conditions.
Health and safety risks of old air conditioners
We can’t stress enough the importance of upgrading your old ACs to new ones. From health conditions, bills, and environmental impact, you can’t imagine the huge difference you can make when you start replacing your appliance as soon as you can.
Adds house air pollution with dust and mildew
Old air conditioners highly contain mildew and allergens that may get into the nasal system. What’s more, these dust and mildew may burn your lungs, and irritate your breathing and vision. When this problem persists, it causes headaches, nausea, dizziness, and vomiting to some extent. If these symptoms continue and left ignored, it’ll develop into more serious conditions in the future.
Contributes to other health problems especially respiratory illnesses
Exposure to long hours of indoor air with an old AC will dry your skin and nasal passages. It can even lead to itchy skin, flaky face, and ear irritation. What’s more, it lowers your immunity system and makes you vulnerable to infections.
AC breakdowns will happen and could be unsafe
Old air conditioners are dangerous and won’t work properly – so, the risk of breakdowns or circuit trips may become more frequent. This can be a liable threat to your home, especially with old wirings and materials of your AC. Moreover, your unit will begin to operate loudly and cause you to wake up at night. Who wants that to happen anyway?
Repairs for old units are more expensive
When old air conditioners break down, repairing it would be more expensive to repair old materials and units. In addition, they are likely past the coverage of their warranties also.
Higher electricity bills
Old air conditioners need more power to carry on their work. That means, paying higher electricity bills. They cost more money to operate because they become less and less effective as they age. Newer units have more efficient features installed like including green, energy-saving aspects.
Slowly kills the environment
If your AC is around 15 years old, it emits more hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), chemicals that add to the grueling hot climate the world is suffering from. Even if your air conditioner has a leak or electrical problem, it causes some HFCs to be released on the air. Even throwing away old AC units can have the molecules escape and trap heat in the atmosphere.
Tips for safe use of your air conditioner
Does your AC cause unhealthy indoor air quality and other discomforts? Here are tips we suggest to optimize your central air conditioning at home.
Assess your unit
Take a good look and make sure your AC is in good condition to keep you cool on a warm sunny day. Learn to check the air filter and AC vents for dust and debris. These bring in molds and clog the flow of air, thus making your unit blow harder and use so much power in return. Also, if you can inspect your fan belts, try to replace the ones that are frayed and cracked.
Schedule regular maintenance with a certified technician
Cleaning your unit’s air filter may not be enough. Calling a pro technician to take a look at your AC is necessary to reduce air contaminants. They’ll advise you how and what to look to keep your unit working properly. What’s more, they’ll take a general look over the condition of your old air conditioners.
Ideally, place your AC at a convenient location in your home
Some areas of the house, such in damp or humid areas, hasten the moisture and mildew build-up in your unit. Place it somewhere in your home where it can breathe from the gathered moisture and wick.
Balance use of AC and other ventilating ways
With that said, you can lower the use of your AC by providing adequate ventilation indoors. Turn off the unit, opt for a fan, or open the windows and allow fresh air inside the room to lower indoor contaminants. It can also lower the circulation of harmful particles, like HFCs in the air.
Limit the use of AC
Constant use of air conditioning can lead to a host of health issues such as breathing problems, irritation, and allergies. Additionally, this will also limit the number of chemicals that can harm the environment. More so, it can lower your electricity bills as well. Try installing a programmable thermostat so you can time and set various temperatures at certain times of the day.
While certified technicians keep your air conditioning system working properly, you can do your part by maintaining, keeping it clean, or controlling the use of your unit. That way, you can prolong the life of your old air conditioners and may even lower utility bills and help the environment in the process.
