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Is My AC Making Me Sick?

The purpose of your air conditioner is to help improve the comfort of your home or place of business. However, an air conditioning system that isn’t functioning as it should could actually hurt your indoor air quality. In fact, your indoor air quality can become significantly worse than the quality of the outdoor air, according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

Poor air quality can result in sickness. While this is never a good thing to begin with, there’s also the negative impact it has on businesses – the more employees that get sick working in poor quality indoor air, the higher employee absenteeism will rise, resulting in a drop in productivity.

There are a number of symptoms to be on the lookout for. Common symptoms of poor quality air include watery or itch eyes, headaches, a dry, itchy or sore throat, a runny nose, coughing, fatigue, skin issues and respiratory issues.

The last thing you want is to get sick because of poor indoor air quality. Fortunately, improving your indoor air quality isn’t that difficult – all it requires is that you maintain your air conditioner system regularly so that it functions as it should. The following are a few maintenance tasks that will help to improve the quality of your indoor air:

• Check your air filters every month – The purpose of your air filters is to help prevent the quality of your indoor air from deteriorating. When your air conditioner cycles air throughout your home, the air filters help trap dust and debris, thereby preventing the air from being contaminated. However, once the filter becomes full of dust and debris, it will need to be cleaned or replaced. Otherwise, the efficiency of your air conditioner plummets, and contaminants will start affecting your indoor air quality.
• Have your ductwork inspected – Leaks and gaps in your ductwork need to be sealed. Any gaps or holes in your ducts will result in unfiltered air being sucked into the duct system. This unfiltered air, which is probably full of contaminants, will then be dispersed throughout your home or place of business.
• Schedule a yearly air conditioner tune-up – It’s important to have a professional HVAC technician come and inspect your air conditioner at least once a year. They will clean and lubricate the air conditioner’s components and make any necessary repairs. By ensuring that your air conditioner is working as efficiently and effectively as possible, you help reduce the risk of your air conditioner affecting your indoor air quality in a negative way.
• Use a dehumidifier – If there’s too much moisture in your air, it can create a breeding ground for mold spores and other pollutants. Install a dehumidifier to help remove some of the moisture from your air.

Use these tips to improve your air quality and be sure to contact us at Dynamic Air Services in order to schedule a professional air conditioner inspection today.