Dangers of badly maintained Air Conditioners

Air conditioning systems are a valuable way of controlling the atmosphere within workplaces and houses alike. They help to maintain a temperature that is safe, healthy and comfortable. Till the time these units are properly sustained, the advantages they offer are risk-free. However, if any of the precautions are neglected, it is possible for the system to become a potential health hazard.

What are the dangers of a poorly maintained unit?

One of the biggest side effects of a badly maintained air conditioning unit is that it has the ability to spread disease causing microorganisms through air circulation. Since most houses and offices have central air conditioning, any such health hazard is spread effectively throughout the area. Contaminants and pollutants inside the system contribute to a number of health problems like:-

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Sinusitis
• Sore throat and coughing
• Fatigue
• Wheezing and congestion
• Flu-like illnesses
• Nose, eye and throat irritation

Such issues often pop up because of poor cleaning leading to dirt, dust, and other allergic particles being carried around by circulating air. When viruses, bacteria, or fungi contaminate the air conditioning system, dangers can become more severe. A variety of illnesses can be spread or caused by lack of maintenance. Perhaps the most common disease that is spread due to problems with the A/C is Legionnaire's disease.

The Legionella bacteria develops in temperatures between seventy to hundred Fahrenheit, making the moist, warm climate inside the A/C units an ideal ground for breeding. This disease is basically a kind of pneumonia with signs such as body aches, headache, nausea, high fever and chest pains. If not treated on time, Legionnaire can cause permanent mental or physical damage to the body. If the fever is not reduced and antibodies are ineffective, death can also occur.

The solution

The best way of avoiding these dangers is to ensure that your system is regularly checked, well-maintained, and kept clean. Regular cleaning, particularly around outlets and intakes, is the best way to avoid problems related to asthma or allergies. Outlets and intakes are not just the easiest areas to reach, but also where allergens and dust tends to collect most. Simply averting dust build-up can go a long way in preventing the hazards. 

This also involves not letting your unit sit idle. Water must keep flowing through the unit rather than keeping it stagnant, because still water gives a chance for disease-causing agents to multiply. It is also advised to keep the water at a temperature that does not allow legionella and other organisms to thrive. This means keeping the element above 140 Fahrenheit or 60 degrees centigrade, or cooling it to less than 68 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 degrees centigrade.

Maintaining an A/C unit regularly can help in reducing health risks to a great extent. Speak to a HVAC professional for details on ways to conserve your air conditioning system. Given how easy it is to have a system cleaned, it’s a very small price to pay to guard it against health issues. The effectiveness and quality of the air conditioner filters and the health of your family are very strongly connected. Hence, it is also recommended to go for a more systematic, professional cleaning to ensure that proper hygiene is maintained at all times. One of the best ways to find out about HVAC experts is to look online. The internet offers a plethora of options for you to choose from.

How to winterize your air conditioning unit?

The air conditioning system of your house is a huge investment and plays an important role in your family’s comfort, quality of life and safety. As the winter season approaches, you may want to winterize your unit to secure it against the chilly weather conditions and save it from catching rust. Performing a few tasks will ensure that your unit remains in top working condition all year long.

Shut down your unit properly

Proper shut down of your air conditioning unit is very important if you want the machine to survive the tough winter months. Cutting the main power off will prevent someone from accidentally turning your machine on and will also prevent unnecessary damage to the unit.

Clean out the space surrounding your appliance

Make sure there are no sticks, leaves, branches, clutter, bushes, or debris in the two foot radius around your AC. This should help in preventing rust damage and clogging. Apart from this, it will also discourage any animals from taking on a cozy residence within your system. Install rubber pipe and tubular foam insulation with elbows and tees around pipes to secure against freezing.

Fact – animal damage is the main reason of harm to AC units.

Cover the unit

Cover the machine with a vinyl or plastic sheet. Some manufacturers sell covers designed specifically for air conditioning units, but you can also use vinyl or plastic covering that fits your unit. Wrap ropes or cords around the AC cover to keep it protected. Make sure the sheet is secured tightly so that it does not blow away during extreme weather conditions.

Also, check your AC covering thrice a month to make sure it is absolutely secure. Brush snow, ice and water off the unit. Remove pinecones, twigs, and other debris from the cover.

Pay equal attention to your furnace

Once your AC unit has been secured, it is time to pay attention to your furnace. Before turning on the heat during the cold winter months, perform a complete tune-up of your heating system. One of the best ways to ensure the furnace is performing well is to have your unit cleaned by a professional.

In order to make sure your precious HVAC is performing well throughout the year, it is important to take good care of it. By following the aforementioned DIY tips, you can definitely save yourself a lot of repair fee later on. It is also wise to get in touch with an expert for help.

What Does Your Air Conditioner Expect From You?

If you are someone who cannot imagine spending time indoors without the air conditioner, you need to look after your cooling system, just as you would take care of your pet.

The air conditioning system is a unit that has some expectations from you. If you want it to work well, work with efficiency and keep you comfortable, you need to do a few things to keep it in good shape.

Periodic Professional Maintenance: When you get your system installed for the first time, you can speak to your technician to undertake periodic maintenance and cleaning. A routine cleaning and maintenance once in every quarter is recommended. However, if you would rather not do so every quarter, an annual maintenance is a must. The checks conducted by the technician must include adjusting or replacing fan belts; inspecting coils and cleaning them; checking blowers and fans for any repairs and cleaning them; lubricating the bearings and motors; refrigerant and pressures and checking if they are right; inspecting all controls; and verifying operating temperatures. This will help to detect repairs early and save you a lot of trouble by preventing a complete shutdown.

Clean Dirty Filters: The filter needs the most attention. It is fixed in the front portion of the system thus exposed to air coming in and going out. Cleaning the filters every month will ensure that there are no clogs. Clogged filters can seriously affect your air conditioner’s working efficiency. Either clean it every month, if it is the washable type or replace it every month if it is not a washable filter. Keep checks on the filter’s MREV which should range from 1-12 for units at home. The AC’s performance will be better if the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value is high.

Program the Cooling: If your preference is to keep the air conditioner at low temperature, go ahead and do so - but only when you are at home. When you are away at work, there is no need to have the air conditioning on. But if you prefer to keep it on, program it in such a way that it is set at a higher temperature if you are away and lower when you are in. A programmable thermostat will help you do so. The recent models have built in timers which will help you set the required temperature for the period when you in and also for when your away.

Clean the Ducts:If theducts, through which the air moves, are dirty, it will affect the efficiency of the unit. Dirty ducts can be responsible for upto 30% loss of the airflow, especially in window air conditioners. Ensure that the ducts are well sealed with foil tape. This will prevent air leaks. For window units, use stuffing foam or similar materials between the system and the window frame to keep it secure.

Ensure the SEER is right: The seasonal energy-efficiency ratio (SEER) and the energy-efficiency ratio (EER) are two measurements recommended by the federal law for air conditioning efficiency. The law makes it mandatory that the SEER for a central air conditioner be 13 and the EER for a window should be 8.

Draw Blinds, Run the Fan: Keeping the blinds drawn during the day will keep the indoors cooler and facilitate less work for the air conditioner. For optimum cooling efficiency, keep the ceiling fan running. This helps air circulation inside the room and less work for the air conditioning system too.