Tips to Avoid Health Risks from Air Conditioner Overuse
Summer is back and the heat is upon us. What better way to stay cool than to turn your air conditioning unit on. Air conditioning was invented precisely to help us combat the summer heat and keep us sweat-free.
Despite the relief it brings to our homes, overusing your AC unit can lead to health risks. Although there aren’t many studies directly linking air conditioning to illness, the constant exposure to improperly conditioned indoor air can cause indoor discomfort and increase health risks. Here are some of the common health issues you may face with the overuse of central air conditioning:
Nasal Issues and Asthma Attacks
Indoor air pollution can sometimes be more detrimental to health than outdoor pollution. When your indoor air is polluted with allergens, you may suffer from itchy eyes, nasal issues, dizziness, headaches, and difficulty breathing. Asthma attacks and pneumonia may also worsen. In an age where a highly virulent respiratory has spread throughout the population, this is unacceptable.
Dry Skin
Exposure to air conditioning for long hours can cause dry skin and dry air passages. Dry skin often causes flaky and itchy skin, alongside other skin problems.
Colds and Other Respiratory Illnesses
It’s not just your skin that will dry out for air conditioning overuse, but your mucus membranes too. Mucous membranes protect your body from external agents that may harm your body. Without it, you may be vulnerable to respiratory infections. You might need to have a humidifier professionally installed to balance the humidity in your home.
Heat Intolerance
There is a chance that you may suffer from heat intolerance when you stay indoors in bad indoor air for too long. You may experience dizziness, headaches, and even heatstroke when you go outside. You may also feel extremely exhausted.
Worsened Allergies & Ear Irritations
If you suffer from allergies, your case can worsen if your air conditioner isn’t properly maintained. Molds may also circulate the air and accumulate in the folds of your ear, causing your ears to dry out.
What Are the Common Causes?
Dirty filters may trap pollen, pesticides, and other pollutants in your home. These things may have an adverse effect on your health. Moreover, poor maintenance and unclean ducts can release mold and other contaminants into the air. You need to regularly clean and check your air conditioner.
Safe Use of Your Air Conditioning System
The most common cause of indoor air pollution is dirty filters. These things must be constantly maintained and cleaned. They should also be replaced when needed. Here are some of the ways you can do to avoid indoor air pollution:
Clean the air filter
Staying in an air-conditioned room with a unit that hasn’t been cleaned in a long time may result in asthma and lung problems. To avoid these health concerns, you must regularly check, clean, and change your air filter regularly. Schedule maintenance appointments to avoid missing the dates.
Adequate ventilation
Fresh air is still the best. Open the windows every so often to bring fresh air into your home. This removes any indoor contaminants and keeps your home clean.
Turn it off
When you’re not around, turn it off. This prevents the needless circulation of harmful particles in the air. Plus, it can lessen your utility bills.
Final Thoughts
A central air conditioning system is beneficial in the summer months. You get to be cool despite the hot weather. However, you need to regularly clean it to avoid any health concerns. While you can do some of this DIY, some processes will need the assistance of professionals.
Schedule your air conditioning maintenance with us today. We at Aircor are Chicago's premier HVAC service, specializing in residential and commercial air conditioner installation. We only provide top-tier service.
