Most homeowners think of air conditioners solely as a means to remain cool when the weather is hot. However, they can also critically impact your health. Here are a few ways in which your home’s AC may affect your health in Citrus County, FL.
Respiratory Health
As air circulates through your AC, the system’s air filters will remove pollutants from that air. Your AC is, therefore, an essential tool for maintaining your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ). The IAQ in your home will have a crucial impact on your respiratory health, especially over the long run.
If your IAQ is poor, you may experience symptoms like coughing, sneezing, colds, watery eyes and an itchy throat. Depending on the kinds of pollutants present in the air, you could also develop headaches. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, an ineffective AC with weak or clogged filters can aggravate them.
Pollen and pet dander are major airborne pollutants that double as allergens. If you have furry pets that often play outdoors, the danger of allergic reactions becomes especially acute. Even if you aren’t allergic to anything, too much exposure to allergens may change that.
Of course, to avoid such difficulties, always remember to clean and brush your pets and close your windows. Even with such precautions, however, your AC and its filters have an indispensable role to play.
If your AC’s filters work well, you’re more likely to avoid these consequences. Because many years of breathing contaminated air may raise the risk of developing respiratory diseases like emphysema and lung cancer, the importance of maintaining your AC becomes crucial.
To ensure that your AC can perform this important work for years, we urge you to clean or replace its air filters at least once every two to three months. Regular professional duct cleanings will also cut down the amount of contaminants that might get into your home and should happen every three to five years.
If members of your household are sensitive to allergens or have other respiratory issues, you might consider one of our whole-house air purification systems. We can install these near your AC’s air handler, and they will deliver clean air throughout your home.
Finally, never forget that regular professional maintenance is essential to keep your AC’s functions, including its ability to condition your air properly. We strongly recommend scheduling HVAC maintenance either once or twice per year.
Heat Stroke or Dehydration
The extreme spring and summer temperatures and humidity in Citrus County, FL make heat stroke and dehydration real dangers for those who aren’t careful. However, anyone living in a residence with a properly functioning AC is at virtually no risk of heat stroke. It can also greatly reduce your risk of dehydration.
Sleep Quality
What we’ve said thus far about an AC’s effects on your environment and well-being also applies when you’re asleep. By keeping you comfortable and decreasing the pollutants in the surrounding air, a reliable AC will make sleeping soundly at night easier.
With better sleep, you’ll be in a better position to tackle each day’s challenges. Among other things, you’ll have more energy and greater mental clarity throughout the day.
Sleep quality affects an enormous variety of other things that relate to your general health. This includes your long-term susceptibility to heart disease and diabetes, your ability to maintain an acceptable weight and your immune system.
Humidity
Your AC also reduces indoor humidity as it cools the air in your home. In turn, this can reduce the presence of insects and unwanted biological growth in your home.
When an AC can efficiently control humidity levels in your home, it reduces the possibility of things like heat exhaustion, asthma flare-ups and skin issues. Ideally, the humidity in your home should remain between 30% to 50%.
As the information shows, neglecting the quality and functioning of your AC can adversely impact your health. To keep your AC functioning at its best, call our team at Senica Air Conditioning, Inc. and request AC repair services near Citrus County, FL today.
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