It’s absurd how the very thing that should be improving your health could be what’s killing you. An old air conditioner poses a lot of health risks. Sometimes it takes time to notice that your air conditioner is affecting your health. Old ACs are not only bad for the environment but also for your health. So, don’t let an old AC continue running. You can learn more from technicians about how an old air conditioner is problematic at the provided link.
Health Risks Related to Old Air Conditioners
Replacing an old unit might be more cost-effective than paying medical bills. However, an AC expert should be your first contact after discovering that your air conditioner is the source of all your health problems. Here are the risks of old ACs to your health.
1. Learn moreChronic Fatigue
Your home is where you should feel most rested and at peace. But unfortunately, running an old AC will get in the way of that. An old air conditioner will tire you, even when you haven’t worked.
Typically being in an air-conditioned space will cause fatigue and headaches, and it only worsens with an old AC. In addition, an old air conditioner will make breathing difficult, contributing to fatigue. With fatigue comes a weakened immune system, leaving you open to attacks by flu and colds.
2. Worsening chronic health issues
If you have a respiratory health problem that won’t go away, the problem could be your old air conditioner. Imagine it’s allergy season, and you are running your air conditioner, hoping it will help elevate your issues.
An old AC worsens bronchitis, asthma, and high blood pressure. The pains associated with these diseases only worsen if you have an old air conditioner running. You could have it worse if you get a lung infection from breathing the toxins produced by an old air conditioner.
3. Headaches
An old air conditioner produces fumes and toxins. Breathing these in causes headaches and other health issues. Since your old air conditioner is probably cooling your space irregularly, the temperature differences could also result in headaches.
The other thing your old AC could be doing that results in headaches is reducing moisture in the air. Dry air is dehydrating, which will cause headaches to develop.
4. Dry Eyes and Skin
Spending time in an air-conditioned space will cause a loss of moisture in the skin. As a result, you’ll notice that your skin starts to get dry and flaky over time. You can manage it with moisturizers as long as you know that your air conditioner is still new. With an old conditioner, you will have dry eyes and skin, which will be hard to get rid of.
You could try using all the recommended moisturizers, but nothing will work. The dryness you feel will be worse than when you have an air conditioner working as it should. Dry eyes and skin indicate that worse things could happen to your body after using an old air conditioner.
5. Allergic Reactions
An old air conditioner that is not working like it’s designed to could be the reason you have allergic reactions. As the components start to break, the air conditioner can’t purify the air in your space correctly.
Pollen dust and other contaminants make their way through the vent, and you interact with them. It could also be that there is mold growing in your old AC. Mold spores are an allergen. So replacing your old air conditioner unit might be the only way to stop the allergies.
Signs That Your Air Conditioner Is Old
How do you know when our air conditioner is too old? Knowing the signs to look for when your unit gets old would be in your best interest.
Let’s look at signs that your air conditioner is old.
1. Air conditioning unit age
Your AC unit is old if it has reached its 20-year mark. Typically with proper maintenance, your unit should reach that age and continue running. On the other hand, poor maintenance will slightly allow it to pass the ten-year mark. Knowing that it’s best to start preparing for a replacement early.
2. It needs frequent repairs
Despite proper maintenance and all the things you do to extend the life of your air conditioner, an AC will start to break down when it nears its 20-year mark. It’s because the old parts get worn out and overworked.
Minor problems will lead the entire system to crash. Such repairs will cost you. It’s an excellent time to see if a replacement is more fitting and constantly paying for repairs.
3. The unit produces unusual sounds
It is typical for your AC to hum a little when you switch it on. You’ll recognize a strange sound from your air conditioning unit when you hear it. Don’t get used to the noise, but take it as a warning.
4. Decreased efficiency
An old air conditioner will not cool your space as you want it to. Its cooling capacity lowers as the unit starts to consume excess energy. As long as the indoor temperature doesn’t match what’s on the thermostat, it’s a sign that your air conditioning unit has gotten old.
5. It consumes a lot of energy
Another indicator that the AC unit is sold is when it consumes more power than when it was new. It happens that way since the unit is overworking to cool your space. You’ll know that your air conditioning unit is consuming excess energy when you receive your statements and note the difference.
Conclusion
Even after keeping up with maintenance and doing all the things that experts recommend to extend the lifespan of your AC, it will still grow old. Know the signs to look for to tell you that your air conditioner is old and it’s time to get a new one.
Have the plan to get a new AC unit for the sake. Some of the health problems originating from old ACs can be quite serious. You can keep them from occurring by simply getting a new one. It may be expensive, but it’s worth it.
