We rely so much on our HVAC systems to heat and cool our homes. Sometimes we may forget that there are health dangers if we don’t maintain them properly. Like with any appliance, we run the risk of creating a larger problem if we wait until something breaks to have a professional service it. Not only can we save time and money by scheduling routine maintenance checks for your HVAC systems, but we can also ensure that our families remain healthy. Here are four ways your HVAC system could be harming your health.
1. Spreading Allergens
Your home should be a haven from a runny nose and itchy eyes, but so often allergens get trapped in your HVAC system. A build-up of dust in your air ducts can spread nasty irritants around your home, so a good rule of thumb is to clean them every three to five years. You’ll know it’s time to service the ducts if you smell mold or notice an accumulation of dust around your vents. Remember that if your ducts need cleaning yearly, there could be a problem with your HVAC system.
2. Growing Mold and Mildew
Due to the nature of HVAC systems, high humidity and the changing of seasons make them a prime candidate to grow mold and mildew. The signs of mold and mildew aren’t always apparent. Even if you clean visible mold from the air ducts, microscopic colonies can remain. It’s critical to schedule regular maintenance checks to avoid infecting your family with dangerous spores. Additionally, you should be using high-efficiency particle absorber air filters that trap threatening particles in a mesh layer before they can infiltrate your air.
3. Pulling Moisture From the Air
Itchy eyes can be attributed to seasonal allergies, but if they’re accompanied by dry skin, your HVAC system may be to blame. If it’s pulling too much moisture from the air, skin and eye irritation can occur. Humidifiers are a quick remedy to this problem, but you should still have a professional check out your system to see if it can be rebalanced.
4. Leaking Refrigerant
Refrigerant, or Freon, is used in HVAC systems to fuel the cooling components, but it can be hazardous if there is a leak. If you notice that the air from your vents is no longer cool or if you hear hissing or bubbling noises, you might have a refrigerant problem. It’s best to take care of these issues as quickly as possible because they’ll only get worse over time. You run the risk of exposing your family to side effects such as severe headaches, nausea, respiratory irritation, dizziness and difficulty breathing.
So many of these health issues start out small and can quickly grow into a worse problem. You may be able to diagnose an HVAC problem by listening to your body, but do yourself a favor by performing regular maintenance on your system. It’s easier to avoid these problems with routine maintenance than correct them when they arise.
