The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters reduce the amount of airflow and significantly reduce a system's efficiency.
Dirty filters restrict the flow of cold air which can cause it to build up inside the air conditioner. The final result could be the formation of ice on the coils. Anyone in your home suffer from allergies or asthma? A dirty filter can make their symptoms much worse.
As the filter becomes clogged with dirt, it can cause your air-conditioner to lose cooling capacity, develop frost, operate loudly and present several health hazards for you and your family.
The effects of a dirty air conditioner are as follows: Airflow is blocked – If your air filter is enveloped in dust and grime, there won't be any space for air to actually flow through it thereby resulting in blocked airflow. As a consequence, your unit will work harder causing an increase in energy consumption.
A general rule of thumb is to clean or replace the filters once a month during the usage season. If you only run the air conditioner occasionally, you might be able to push this to every two months, but it is better to just get in the habit of doing it on the first day each month.
The components of an AC unit can harbor a lot of bacteria and dust, which can cause respiratory problems and other health issues. The International Journal of Epidemiology found that people who live in homes with central air conditioning are more likely to develop respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis.
The auto-clean function automatically cleans and dries the inside of the air conditioner indoor unit. In order to keep the air conditioner in optimum condition and to maintain the purity of the air in your home, it is important to regularly clean the indoor unit, filters, and external exchanger.
Your HVAC system can spread bacteria and viruses around your house, increasing the chances of everyone getting sick. If you think that this is happening in your home, schedule a thorough cleaning including the ductwork, to ensure that they are not a problem.
A musty or moldy smell could be likened to smelly feet or dirty socks. Since your AC dehumidifies the air as it cools, mildew is one of the most common smells from the condensation it produces. As mentioned before, the odor created from bacterial growth will give off that musty or moldy smell.
Poorly maintained air-conditioning systems can cause respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold, flu, tonsillitis, coughs, and everything in between. Dirty filters are the most common culprits. Filters in an air-con system are there to remove bacteria and other contaminants.
Many people wonder, “Can a dirty air filter cause my AC not to cool?” The simple answer is yes – a dirty filter can create several problems that can hinder your unit's effectiveness. Not to mention, a dirty filter can also lead to premature failure of your system.
Q: How long before I can turn on AC after coil cleaning? Make sure the air conditioner is completely dry before attempting to use it. Wait about 30 to 60 minutes before turning on the AC after cleaning the coils.
Air conditioning impact on respiratory health
In healthy individuals, exposure to air conditioners with very cold air can cause alterations in the respiratory airways that, in the context of pre-existing conditions such as asthma, can increase the risk of developing a respiratory illness.
Yes, you can hose down your ac unit. In fact, spraying water on your air conditioner to clear dirt and other debris, along with a regular/preventative maintenance plan can help keep your air conditioner unit running more efficiently.
Experts in air conditioning advise that even if there is nothing wrong with your air conditioning unit, you still need to have it cleaned at least once every 12 months to make sure that your air conditioner is working at its peak efficiency during the season when you need it the most.
You can absolutely spray water on your air conditioner to clean it. You can use your reliable old garden hose, and you don't even have to be gentle with it. Simply set it to a hard stream and run it over the unit from top to bottom for a thorough cleaning.
Similarly, air conditioner lung is an allergic reaction that stems from breathing in allergens like dust, mold, fungus, and other pollutants. These contaminants can enter your lungs and make you sick.
Air conditioning sickness starts where air conditioners and bacteria, fungi, mold, and mildew meet. If your home or office is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria growth or a regularly unvacuumed space, an air conditioner will only circulate the sickness-inducing allergens that are already present.
It's common to find mold in your air conditioner or furnace. Your furnace and evaporator coil has all the components necessary for things like mold to develop. Primarily because there's consistent moisture.
It's normal for an AC to run for multiple hours per day. However, there is a difference between keeping your AC on throughout the day and the compressor running all day. Once your space reaches your desired temperature, your AC system, or more specifically, the compressor, should stop running automatically.
Typically, homeowners can expect to pay between $270 and $1,000 on average for air duct cleaning. However, this cost can be influenced by a number of factors such as the size and accessibility of ductwork, the condition and the cleaning method.
Alternaria - This is another extremely common air duct mold strain. It takes on the appearance of velvet-like fabric and is usually green or brown in color. This mold strain needs a significant and constant supply of air duct water.