By: For Saving Heating & Cooling
When your air conditioner is starting to show signs of wear and tear, it is time to put it to rest.
Many hazards heighten when you keep an old AC in your home running longer than it should.
Old air conditioners tend to work with diminished capacity while also be prone to malfunctions as well and might even stop functioning altogether at the worst moment.
On the other hand, investing in a new air conditioning system can be seen as being very costly.
This is why when it comes to this, people are still reluctant to buy a new one and rely on the one that they already have.
And it’s okay if you decide to save up until you can afford a new AC and keep the old one for the time being.
But, keep in mind that some hazards come along with keeping an old AC in the home.
Here are some of the dangers explained below:
Old AC Hazard 1. It Breeds Bacteria
It’s true: Your old AC will function with diminished capacity.
Also, there are some significant health risks involved here too.
All the hot temperatures and the rain can make your old AC a breeding ground for bacteria.
Remember the hard fact that over time, your old AC unit has been invaded with bacteria, pollen, and fungi.
The number increases the more the system has been in use.
Even though not all types of microorganisms can create infections, many dangerous types can find their way into the airflow and intake ducts.
If you want to minimize these types of dangers, make sure to do routine cleaning and maintain your AC regularly.
Old AC Hazard 2. It Can Pose As A Respiratory Health Risk
Even though there are plenty of people in the world who have a very strong immune system, not all of them can cope with air that has bad quality.
For those people who are suffering from asthma and bronchitis, the old AC can pose quite a threat to their overall health.
Old air conditioners can cause an asthmatic flare-up or a lung infection.
The AC unit releases air that flows throughout the home, making it easier to spread the bacteria through the air.
This is how the quality of air is reduced.
If you’re continuously breathing poor air for a long period, then you may eventually suffer the consequences.
And if you have an underlying condition, it may even get worse.
There is an easy way to fix this and it is by replacing the old air conditioner with a new one.
Old AC Hazard 3. It Contains Ozone-Depleting Refrigerants
There are plenty of old air conditioners in homes that are old.
The AC unit you own may even be older than the other appliances you have in the home.
And since it is old technology, it may contain volatile chemicals which are bad for the environment.
This means that many ACs contain refrigerants, which makes them incredibly unsafe to use.
Within the last few years, there has been a lot of phasing out of these units, however, there are many households that still have them.
Note that the modern AC units are much more environmental-friendly and contain ozone-free refrigerants.
Old AC Hazard 4. It Is A Fire Hazard
The sole fact that your AC is old means that the parts from which it is made are old too.
Its heating pipes and fan might be broken or damaged. If these parts are not working as they should, then there might be excess heat accumulating in the AC, which will ultimately cause it to catch fire.
Also, the electrical wiring in the AC wears off and is damaged over time.
This type of wiring is usually hidden inside the system.
In most cases, this means that you will be unable to check it yourself.
These are the types of things that can go by without ever being unnoticed and the reason why it makes sense for the old appliances and AC units to be considered a fire hazard.
Old AC Hazard 5. It Can Cause Sickness
There is a syndrome called the sick building syndrome.
This is something people experience when they find themselves in an old building and start feeling sick.
The range of symptoms may vary, but most of all you can experience fatigue, nasal congestion, headaches, skin irritation, and breathing problems.
The main reason for this is because of the old ACs and the bacteria they are accumulating while working.
Some people may be more sensitive to this than others, especially if they already have a pre-existing condition.
Old AC Hazard 6. It Results In High Electricity Bills
Other than the physical dangers that come with owning an old AC, there comes the other danger that you will feel from your wallet too.
You have a higher financial risk if you let your AC operate while knowing it is old.
You will notice a gradual increase in your electricity bill.
On the other hand, the newer energy-efficient systems can help you save up to 70% off your home energy bill.
Almost all of them are equipped with a saving feature.
So, if you decide to replace your old AC with a new one, you will be able to revel in all the perks that come with it, including a lower electricity bill.
If you’re worried about price, the AC installation company near you may have 0% financing for up to a period of time.
We offer 0% interest payment plans for up to 24 months for ACs and 12 months for our energy-efficient HVAC systems.
Old AC Hazard 7. It Leads To Unbearable Temperatures
It is only logical that the old ACs do not function as well as the new ones do.
Because of all the factors that we have mentioned so far, the old air conditioner will not function at an optimal level.
This only means that the temperature may be way off than what you want it to be.
It may be too hot or too cold.
Other than keeping you uncomfortable in your own home, the old AC will only end up costing you a lot of money without you ever receiving anything in return.
It just does not work properly, and it is okay to throw it out.
Old AC Hazard 8. It Can Break Down Easy
It is nice that you have had an AC that has been functioning well for the past 20 years or so.
But, as time passes it just may start to fall apart and break down on you.
At this point, there is no excuse for you to keep it.
Even though you have put a lot of work and effort into maintaining it at an optimal level, sometimes it is better to let go.
To go even a step further, some of these repairs may even cost you a small fortune.
In this state, it is better to replace the entire unit instead of wasting any more time on repairs.
If you have any questions about the hazards of old air conditioning or AC repair and AC installation services, feel free to call us at 416-543-0641 or chat with us in near real-time on Instagram.
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