Many people tend to neglect the upkeep of their residential cooling units until they are faced with unbearably warm conditions, or until getting in touch with a professional AC service becomes a regular necessity as it often does.
We’re not just talking about a little bit of summertime discomfort, either – we’re talking about how an old AC can make your house unbearable in the summer months.
This is why it’s important for homeowners to take care of their AC units and replace them when necessary. Here are some of the risks you must look out for when running an old AC:
Old Air Conditioners Carry Bacteria
Not many people are aware of this risk, but the main problem with running an old AC unit is that it has a greater chance of carrying bacteria.
Why is this an issue? Well, the air conditioner has to work harder and filter more dust particles than newer units do – which means that it will also have higher levels of bacteria collected in the filters over time.
This can lead to what’s known as Legionnaires disease, a disease that can be transferred through the air conditioning system in your home and lead to symptoms such as a headache, fever, chills, or muscle aches.
To help avoid this risk, it’s important that you have annual maintenance done on your AC unit, so any bacteria can be detected early and dealt with before they pose more of a health issue.
If you’ve had your AC unit for more than 10 years, it might be time to also consider replacing it.
Not only will this help cool your room efficiently, but you’ll be doing your body a huge favor because newer units have filters that are more efficient and will lower the risk of developing Legionnaires disease.
Higher Energy Bills With Old Air conditioners
If you suddenly notice a high rise in your energy bills, this might be the cause of your AC unit being older than recommended.
This is because the compressor, which reduces and cools air to be more comfortable for your home, uses a lot of power when it’s working hard to keep up with cooling your space.
If your air conditioner works harder than it should, you can expect to see a spike in your energy bills.
The increased use of the compressor will also shorten its life span, so it’s best to replace an older AC once you notice these signs.
Your Cooling Unit Might Cause a Fire Breakout
The most dangerous risk of running an old AC unit is the chance of a fire breakout.
This is because the older units are not as strong and sturdy, so these appliances can cause a fire at any time if they malfunction or break down.
This will result in your losing all of your belongings to this devastating disaster.
However, with a new AC unit, you can expect a safer and more reliable cooling system that will not have any of these issues.
With all of these things in mind, it’s good to make sure you stay vigilant and keep your home safe by replacing an old air conditioner with a newer, more reliable unit
Respiratory Issues Happen With Old AC units
If you have family members who are suffering from respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies, then you need to know about the huge risks using an old AC system can give to them.
Older AC appliances emit more pollutants and allergens into your home’s air supply than a newer system would do.
These substances can cause health problems in those who are sensitive or allergic to them, so it’s important that you have a new, cleaner conditioning unit especially if you have someone in your home with respiratory problems.
Some people can’t even tell that they’re allergic to the things an old AC unit emits, but over time it will have a really negative impact on their health and well-being if you don’t get them away from harmful particles such as those from an old cooling unit.
Conclusion
In short, if you live in a hot climate and have an air conditioner that’s 10 years old or older, it might be time for a new one.
If your AC is constantly running even when the temperature isn’t too high outside (or doesn’t cool down your home as quickly), then you may also need to consider purchasing a new unit.
Trust us—the heat won’t last forever, but neither will your old AC!