Sep 13, 2024

Can the Air Conditioner Make You Sick? 7 Signs and What to Do

Surprisingly, AC or the cold air it produces are not inherently harmful. On the contrary, air conditioning can be highly beneficial for people dealing with respiratory issues.

Sickness due to air conditioning arises only when the air is not in suitable or healthy conditions to release safe and good quality air. In some cases, it depends on how the air released from the AC unit interacts with the other toxic or harmful components in your indoor environment. With that being said, here are some common signs that indicate your AC is making you sick.

7 Signs Your Air Conditioner Is Making You Sick

Here are seven signs your air conditioner may be making you sick:

1. Visible Mould

If you see any clear mould growth on your walls or any other part of your house or AC unit, then it can be a problem causing illnesses. This is because mould particles can circulate with the conditioned air indoors, causing wheezing, throat irritation, and congestion.

If you see visible mould, you should be concerned. In such cases, it is better to consider a vent and ac duct cleaning. Mould grows in ducts due to moisture and warm temperatures or poor maintenance.

2. Breathing Or Respiratory Issues

If you have a breathing or respiratory condition that aggravates symptoms when under AC and gets better when away, it can be a problem arising from dirty air filters that are not cleaned or changed when needed.

Air filters can trap dirt, bacteria, and fungi, which, when not cleaned, can start releasing into your indoor air instead of filtering them out. As a result, you will end up breathing polluted air causing sickness. This is why it is recommended to change your air filters after every 250 hours of usage or at least once every three months.

Difficulty breathing is a common sign that an AC has not undergone regular maintenance. A dirty AC can lead to breathing problems, and if you have a runny nose when you are inside, but it goes away when you leave, this could be a sign that your air conditioner’s filter is dirty.

3. Constant Discomfort Indoors

Over the years, growing evidence has indicated that indoor air can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air, especially in large and industrialised cities. As we spend nearly 90% of our time indoors, paying attention to indoor air quality is crucial.

Normally, before the air is dispersed through the AC, it passes through an air filter which pulls out dirt, dust, bacteria, pet or human hair, and any pollen that can pollute the indoor air and trigger discomfort when breathing.

But when the indoor air is polluted because the filter does not do a proper job, it can lead to several health risks like aggravating symptoms related to asthma or respiratory diseases and even make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. These signs could mean that your air filter is not doing a proper job and needs to be replaced or cleaned.

4. Cold or Allergy-Like Symptoms When Under AC

If you or your family members feel cold or experience allergy-like symptoms when sitting under the AC, and the symptoms disappear when you turn the cooling down, it can also indicate clogged filters or mouldy air ducts.

The only way to get rid of this issue is to get regular AC maintenance services. If this condition is not addressed, continuous mould exposure through indoor air can lead to other conditions like rashes, itching, hives, runny noses, irritated eyes, and headaches.

5. Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant is a chemical compound in your AC unit that absorbs environmental heat and provides cool air once it runs through compressors and evaporators. When refrigerants, also known as Freon, leak due to breakdowns, they can affect the quality of your indoor – even if these leaks are tasteless and odourless.

Refrigerant poisoning can lead to conditions like difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and skin and eye irritation. So, as soon as you notice these leaks, it is better to get an AC repair service immediately.

6. Dry Skin

An air conditioner cools down a room by removing moisture from the indoor air, and this can result in dry or itchy skin. If you run your air conditioner for too long, the humidity can get very low. Your skin becomes dry due to the evaporation of water vapors from the air due to low humidity. You can keep the vanes up so that the chilled air does not hit your skin directly.

7. Headaches and Fatigue

Frequent headaches and dizziness can also be because of your air conditioner. If you are suffering from headaches, you may have set your thermostat too cold. When your body is constantly chilly, you can get sick. You may want to raise the temperature of your AC to avoid shivering and also step out of your house from time to time to get some fresh air.

What to Do if Your A/C Is Making You Sick

There are signs that indicate your air conditioner is making you sick, such as visible mould, breathing or respiratory issues, constant discomfort indoors, cold or allergy-like symptoms when sitting under the AC, refrigerant leaks, dry skin, and headaches and fatigue.

Visible mould is a cause for concern, and when you notice visible mould, it is better to get professional vent and AC duct cleaning services. With AC duct cleaning services, your unit can be free from mold, fungi, bacteria, and dust particles that accumulate over time.

Additionally, there are many unknown consequences of a dirty air conditioner. To get better indoor air quality, you should also consider AC maintenance services.

At Adams Care, we’re here to help you! Our AC maintenance services involve: