AC units are designed for a very simple and specific purpose: to cool down your interiors by circulating cold air throughout. In fairness, they do this job remarkably well, and you always see the cooling benefits throughout the summer.
That being said, there’s also a chance your air conditioner could be causing some health problems.
It sounds like a crazy statement, so let’s look at the three key signs your AC unit might be a bigger health issue than you think:
You Have A Scratchy Throat & Stuffy Nose
If you experience these symptoms – and your AC is on quite often – then it could be a sign that the unit is blowing harmful allergens throughout your home. Two allergens are particularly common:
- Mold spores
- Dust
This tends to happen when your unit hasn’t been cleaned in a while, so it contains a buildup of dust, and there’s mold growing on the inside. In this scenario, every time you turn the AC on, it effectively blows these things around the home for you to breathe in, causing typical allergy symptoms.
What can you do to reverse this problem?
It’s simple; clean your AC unit and see if that makes a difference. If it doesn’t, normally because there’s too much mold in there, then an AC replacement may be on the cards. A clean system should stop all of these allergy symptoms from arising.
Your Chest Feels Tighter Than Usual
Again, this comes about when your air conditioner has a lot of mold inside. Mold grows in AC units when they’re not properly maintained because the moisture inside condenses and creates the perfect atmosphere for mold spores to develop.
Breathing in black mold can be very bad for your respiratory system and will make your chest feel tight. You may also develop a gnarly cough and feel like you’re wheezing at times.
What can you do to reverse this problem?
The same as above – clean or replace your AC unit, depending on how bad the problem is. Then, be sure you always maintain the unit to prevent the issue from returning and ensure you always have clean air circulating in your home.
You Notice Lots Of Dry Skin Patches
Does your skin appear very dry and itchy in certain places? Does this issue get worse when the AC is on? It’s likely down to the cold air irritating your skin and causing problems like eczema or other dry skin issues. While not the “worst” health problem, dry skin is an annoyance and can make your life a misery.
What can you do to reverse this problem?
Funnily enough, the best solution is to use your AC unit more sparingly. Don’t have it on overnight and only use it when absolutely necessary. The exposure to the cold air causes dry skin, so try to open the windows or be less reliant on your AC as much as you can. You’ll also benefit from making your home more energy efficient because you’re not forking out a fortune on electricity bills from the AC every month.
As you can see, air conditioners may cause a variety of health concerns (some more serious than others), and it usually comes down to simple things like maintenance or overuse. Make sure your unit is well-maintained to keep it clean, but don’t have it on all the time. Use it only when it’s essential, like when opening the windows makes you warmer.
