Signs Your Air Conditioner Is Making You Sick

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. Or 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.

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. In such cases, its best to consider a vent and ac duct cleaning. Mould grows in ducts due to moisture and warm temperatures or poor maintenance.

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’s recommended to change your air filters after every 250 hours of usage or at least once every three months.

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 doesn’t 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.

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.

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’s best to get an AC repair service immediately.