If you notice that you’ve been suffering from allergy-like symptoms, your first may not be to check your air conditioning unit. While your air conditioner may not be the direct cause of your sickness, it can react with the environment in ways to negatively affect your health.
Failure to Regularly Maintain AC Unit
Even the most organized homeowner can find the maintenance for their AC unit slipping their mind. During the summer months, our AC unit brings us relief from the hot, humid, air outside. However, regular maintaining your AC is important.
When the AC unit is not cleaned often, it’s all too easy for bacteria and fungi to begin to build up. Although mold can be seen when it spreads across a surface, it can go undetected in the air for months. Many homeowners are none the wiser, as the spores wreck havoc in their bodies.
When cold air is pulled over the coils in the unit, condensation is produced. This moisture is a perfect home for mold if it’s not cleaned often. Not to mention, if mold and other pollutants are already present in your home, your air conditioner will only further circulate these through the air. These pollutants can cause congestion, itchy eyes, sore throats, and other respiratory issues.
Along with this, a poorly maintained AC unit may be more susceptible to leaks. When your unit is working properly, it can help dehumidify your home. If your unit is suffering from a blocked drainage tube, this could cause it to leak internally. If this is left untreated, it can cause mold to grow.
Although you may not be a trained professional, there are ways that you can watch out for mold in your air conditioning unit. If you notice a rather musty or stale smell when you turn on your AC, this may point to mold in the unit.
Try to examine parts and areas of your unit that are visible to you when checking for mold. However, just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean that it isn’t there. Mold could easily be present in other ducts or ventilation shafts.
Conduct an Indoor Air Quality Test
If you suspect that your AC unit could be making you and your family sick, it may be time to schedule an air quality test. To begin treating your symptoms, you need to get to the root of the cause. An air quality test performed by professionals at Air Quality Consultants will help take the guesswork out of what could be affecting your health.
Once you call to make an appointment, one of our professionals will pay a visit to your home. You’ll receive a report on the potential contaminants in your air. We can then work with you to create a plan to have you well on your way to cleaner air. Whatever the cause, we’ll be there every step of the way to help you reach and maintain a level of clean air.
