Healthy Ways to Use Air Conditioning at Home

air conditioning unit

Modern homes are more often than not equipped with air-conditioners. As manufacturers of these devices keep coming up with cutting-edge tech solutions, today an average air-conditioner can replace several other devices. For instance, if you get an air conditioner inverter, you do not need a special heater or radiators, but the AC is a two-in-one device. However, no matter what air conditioning device you have and use, it is essential to follow some health-related guidelines to keep your home and your air conditioner in a proper condition.

Indoor air quality and air conditioners

The largest number of air-conditioners uses the indoor air for recirculation. By doing so, they increase energy efficiency and reduce electricity consumption. However, this procedure can make the air inside the conditioned room stale, which harms your respiratory system.

Moreover, if your windows and window frames leak the air inside your home, the efficiency of the AC device will be reduced. Because of that, if you want to keep the air inside the AC-equipped room fresh, let some air from the outside into the room a few times a day. Also, do the necessary weatherstripping works, to increase the productivity of the air-conditioner and reduce your electricity bills.

Prevent dust and debris

With more and more people suffering from all kinds of allergies, today people have to pay special attention to germs, pollen and dust in their homes. What these three allergens have in common in an average home are dirty air ducts. If you have not cleaned them for a while, there is a high probability that several layers of gunk have piled up on those vessels of your home ventilation. This can be especially serious and dangerous if you have kids. Therefore, it is important to clean the air ducts on a regular basis, especially if your house or building has been redecorated recently. It is highly likely that some of that debris and dust ended up in the air ducts and got right into your home. To avoid any hygiene and health problems, deal with that area as soon as possible.

Remove the filter dirt

Although specifications of different manufacturers can differ, the rule of thumb is to have the air filters cleaned at least once per cooling/heating season. The crucial thing when it comes to residential air conditioning devices is to maintain them in accordance with their manufacturer’s manuals.

Also, most manufacturers contact their customers during the warranty period to remind them that they should have the AC filters cleaned or replaced. However, this cleaning has to be performed regularly even after the warranty period expires. It is not a complex procedure and every home owner can learn how to do it. In addition, if you live in an extremely humid or hot area and you keep the air conditioner on all day long, the filter should be replaced every 45 days.

AC interior inspection

air conditionerReplacing or cleaning the filter is only one aspect of air conditioner maintenance. Home owners should also pay attention to the inside of their air conditioner(s). As this device works and cools a particular area, there are also some by-products of this process, the most important being condensation. The more condensation there is, the more mildew and mold is formed on the fan and other parts of the air-conditioner. If the inside area of the AC-unit is left unmaintained before winter, the pileups of mold and mildew grow significantly, providing a fertile ground for all sorts of germs. Therefore, clean the inside of the air conditioner at the end of the summer season or any other period in which you use this device and ensure a high level of hygiene.

If you use your air conditioner in accordance with the described health standards, you will ensure that every member of your household stays safe from any AC-induced diseases. Finally, a regularly maintained AC-device will last longer and waste less electricity. Therefore, take good care of your air conditioner to remain healthy and save some money along the way.