One of the easiest things you can do to keep your home in top shape, avoid health risks that come with too much humidity, and save energy is to maintain your air conditioning system regularly.
If even one of these main functions fails or becomes dangerous, you’ll notice a huge difference in the amount of time spent cleaning up after it. In this article, we will discuss the importance of maintaining your air conditioning system.
Moisture And Contaminants
A healthy AC unit will expel moisture and contaminants through the unit’s filters as well as through the outdoors. If these contaminants build up over time, they can cause an electrical short, leading to a fire. Maintenance will help by checking the levels of moisture and chemicals in your unit.
Mold
Mold can form in any warm, moist area, such as an AC unit. The spores that cause mold can easily grow in indoor air when the conditions are right. Symptoms of mold exposure include headache, nasal congestion, coughing, sinus infection, and fever.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to take action and check to see if your AC unit is harboring mold. Regular maintenance on your AC system can help keep it clean and reduce the chances of mold growth.
Dust Mites
Dust mites are small, wingless creatures that feast on dust and other human-made materials. By inhabiting homes, dust mites can spread harmful chemicals, allergies, and asthma, as well as legionella bacteria. While their populations naturally decrease in colder months, dust mites can become an unwelcome annoyance during the summer when humidity levels increase.
Dust mites thrive in warm environments with low humidity levels- which is exactly what most homes with ACs provide. Dirty filters and coils promote the growth of these tiny creatures, which metabolize skin oils and other human secretions to survive. In extreme cases, dust mites can cause an unsolved allergy or asthma problem in people who are sensitive to them.
Leaks
Air conditioning systems filter the air in your home, workplace, or other building. When leaks occur in your AC unit, allergens and contaminants can be released into the room. Leaks can also increase the humidity levels in the area, which can cause dry skin, nasal congestion, and other issues.
A relative humidity level of less than 18% can promote the growth of bacteria and mold, which render an old and unhealthful environment for your health. Fixing these leaks is far simpler than you might have thought, as anyone with basic tools can do it with relative ease.
Some common sources of AC leaks include broken hoses, connectors, filters, and cracks in the system housing. According to https://www.billyaircon.com.sg, leaks can also happen as a result of a faulty installation. If you experience high humidity levels in your home or office, it may be due to a leaky air conditioning system. In order to determine whether you have a leaky AC unit, consult with a professional technician.
Toxic Gases
Air conditioning systems use water, Freon, and other chemicals to cool and humidify the air in a building. Air conditioning can also remove toxins from the air, but these systems can also release pollution.
Some of the pollutants released by air conditioning systems include particles, such as soot, dust, and smoke, gases like hydrocarbons and sulfur dioxide, and radiation. All of these pollutants can be harmful to your health if they’re breathed in, ingested, or in contact with the skin. Some pollutants, like carbon monoxide, are also deadly.
Air conditioning is important for reducing air temperatures inside a building in summertime and wintertime, but it’s also important to consider the environmental effects of these toxins. If you’re concerned about your health and the environment, make sure to maintain your air conditioning system properly.
Soot
If you live in a polluted area or suffer from asthma or other respiratory problems, you may want to consider investing in an air conditioner that uses carbon filters to remove harmful particles such as soot. Soot is created when fuel is burned to produce heat in an engine, and it’s particularly harmful because it contains tiny particles that can lodge in the lungs and bloodstream.
Every time you run an air conditioner, you trap soot particles in your own home. These particles can become lodged in your inner nose, cerebrospinal fluid, mucus membranes, and other body tissues, and they are detected by the immune system as foreign invaders. Even if you may have asthma or another respiratory illness and inhale regularly, it’s still possible for these particles to enter the pulmonary circulation and even lodge in the lungs themselves.
If you want soot removed from the air inside your home, but don’t want to purchase yet another energy-hogging tool that uses electricity all day long, consider getting a clean air filter instead of a new A/C unit.
Ways To Maintain A HVAC System
Maintaining a HVAC system can be tough, especially if you’re not used to it. However, it’s important to remember that your home’s air conditioning system is vital for your health. Here are a few ways to keep your AC running smoothly:
Check the filter! The first and most basic way to maintain your AC system is to check the filter. If it’s not regularly cleaned, debris and dust can build up over time which can prevent your unit from working effectively.
Check for leaks! Another way to check if your AC is working properly is to look for leaks. Signs that there might be a leak include high humidity levels, strange smells, or vocal complaints from family and friends in the house. If you notice any of these signs, contact a professional to fix the leak.
Clean the coils! Last but not least, cleaning the coils on your HVAC unit can help keep it running smoothly. Do this yourself by using a mild soap and water solution and make sure to rinse off all the soap before blowing out the vents with a fan turned on.
Clean the vents! This should be done on a regular basis with a vacuum cleaner and a brush. Dust, pollen, and other pollutants can build up and affect airflow.
Refrain from usage! Try not to use the AC during extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes or severe thunderstorms. Extreme weather conditions can cause power outages that may affect your AC system.
Most people take for granted the important role that their air conditioning system plays in maintaining their health. Whether it’s keeping them cool during hot weather or protecting them from the cold in winter, an A/C unit is a vital part of any home’s infrastructure.
In order to avoid the dangers of not maintaining your AC, make sure you check it by regularly calibrating its filters and checking for signs of wear and tear.
