If you keep finding yourself waking up with a stuffy nose or itchy eyes, your air conditioner could be to blame. While it’s meant to keep you cool and comfortable, your AC unit can inadvertently become a breeding ground for mold, mildew, dust, and more, circulating these contaminants throughout your home.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to wake up feeling refreshed and energized, free from the constant bombardment of irritants? A home where you can breathe easier, sleep better, and feel healthier overall is possible with just one simple change: improved indoor air quality.
In this blog, let’s explore how your AC unit can impact your indoor air quality and how to identify and address potential issues. We’ll discuss solutions like air filter upgrades, professional duct cleaning, and the importance of regular maintenance to ensure your AC unit contributes to a healthier, happier home.
How Your Air Conditioner Can Impact Your Health
Your air conditioner can, unfortunately, contribute to poor indoor air quality. From harboring mold and mildew to circulating allergens and even potentially harmful chemicals, here are four ways your air conditioner can impact your health:
Mold and Mildew
Condensation buildup within the AC unit and its ductwork provides the perfect environment for mold and mildew to thrive. These damp conditions create a breeding ground for these microorganisms. Mold and mildew can release spores into your home’s air, triggering allergies, asthma attacks, and respiratory issues in susceptible individuals. These spores can cause symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, and skin irritation.
Dust and Allergens
Air conditioners circulate air throughout your home, picking up dust, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens. These particles are constantly present in the air and are drawn into the AC system during operation. These particles can accumulate on the AC unit’s filters and within the ductwork, recirculating throughout your home and aggravating allergies and asthma. This can lead to severe symptoms for those with allergies, such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, and even anaphylaxis in severe cases.
Bacteria and Viruses
Stagnant air within the AC unit can harbor bacteria and viruses. When the AC unit is not in use or is not properly maintained, moisture and dust can accumulate, creating an ideal environment for these microorganisms to grow. These can be recirculated throughout your home, increasing the risk of illness transmission among household members. Common illnesses spread through contaminated air conditioning systems include colds, flu, and even more serious infections.
Chemical Contaminants
Building materials, cleaning products, and even some furniture can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These chemicals can include formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene, which can have adverse health effects. Your AC unit can circulate these harmful chemicals throughout your home, increasing exposure for occupants. Long-term exposure to VOCs can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even more serious health problems.
Signs Your Home Might Be Making You Sick
Do any of these sound familiar? You’re constantly battling headaches, your eyes are always itchy, and your throat feels perpetually scratchy. You might find yourself sneezing and coughing more than usual, and even simple tasks seem to leave you feeling exhausted. Perhaps you’ve noticed your skin becoming more irritated lately, too.
If you resonate with the above, especially when your air conditioner is running, it could be a sign that your indoor air quality needs some attention. This begs the question: what can you do about it?
5 Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to improve your indoor air quality and ensure your AC unit isn’t making you sick:
1. Air Conditioner Filter Changes
Regular air filter changes are crucial for the efficient and healthy operation of your air conditioning unit. Dirty air filters restrict airflow, forcing your AC unit to work harder, which increases energy consumption and reduces its efficiency.
More importantly, dirty filters trap allergens and other contaminants, which can then be released back into your home’s air when the filter becomes overloaded. Upgrading to a higher-quality filter, such as a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, can capture smaller particles and significantly improve the overall air quality in your home.
2. Professional Duct Cleaning
Over time, dust, dirt, mold, and other contaminants can accumulate within your AC unit’s ductwork. Professional duct cleaning removes these contaminants, improving airflow efficiency and significantly enhancing the overall quality of the air you breathe.
3. Dehumidification
Maintaining a healthy and comfortable indoor environment requires proactive measures. Excess moisture in your home can contribute to mold and mildew growth. A dehumidifier effectively removes excess moisture from the air, reducing the risk of mold and mildew growth and creating a healthier and more comfortable living environment.
4. Regular AC Maintenance
Don’t let your AC unit become a hidden health hazard! Regular, professional maintenance is crucial for optimal performance and longevity. This ensures proper operation, identifies and addresses potential issues early on, and helps prevent future problems that can impact indoor air quality and lead to costly repairs.
5. Improve Ventilation
For a healthy home, fresh air is absolutely essential. You can ensure proper ventilation by opening windows and doors regularly, especially during pleasant weather. Utilizing exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to remove moisture and odors is also crucial, as well as investing in a whole-house ventilation system for even more effective air circulation and improved indoor air quality.
You Deserve to Breathe Easy & Live Better
Poor indoor air quality can significantly impact your health, leading to a cascade of issues from allergies and respiratory problems to fatigue and even more serious concerns. By prioritizing clean air within your home, as you would with your diet or exercise routine, you’re not just improving the environment—you’re investing in your own well-being and that of your loved ones.
Reach out to Houk AC today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how our indoor air quality services can restore your breathing space.
Houk AC: Your Local Indoor Air Quality Experts
Houk AC is the preferred HVAC company for DFW, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, TX, residents. Our team of technicians offers a comprehensive range of services to improve the air you breathe, including AC maintenance. air filter replacement, and duct cleaning. Contact us today at (833) 313-5532 for a consultation, and let’s explore the best solutions to improve your indoor air quality.