Another season is rapidly approaching for A/C service Techs and the customers who depend on us. We are now getting system installation estimate requests, scheduling of residential start ups, residual installed from 2012, and getting the vans ready to go. Cleaning is one of the most important aspects of seasonal start ups, keeping your system healthy, and your family as well.
I have found more on the health issues related to air conditioning, reiterating the need to have a properly functioning system and in support of a previous post. The following is an excerpt, courtesy of wikipedia.com, located under Air Conditioners:
“Air-conditioning systems can promote the growth and spread of microorganisms, [34] such as Legionella pneumophila, the infectious agent responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, or thermophilic actinomycetes; however, this is only prevalent in poorly-maintained water cooling towers. As long as the cooling tower is kept clean (usually by means of a chlorine treatment), these health hazards can be avoided.
Conversely, air conditioning (including filtration, humidification, cooling and disinfection) can be used to provide a clean, safe, hypoallergenic atmosphere in hospital operating rooms and other environments where an appropriate atmosphere is critical to patient safety and well-being. Air conditioning can have a negative effect on skin, drying it out, [35] and can also cause dehydration. [36] Air conditioning may have a positive effect on sufferers of allergies and asthma.
Spending most of the time in AC environment could lead to lower immunity because, lack of free supply of oxygen hinders with normal functioning of white blood cells that fight bacteria. Moreover, lack of free supply of oxygen tends to increase blood pressure and heart rate since the body has to work that much harder to acquire oxygen in an AC environment. [37]
Blood oxygen level is linked to serotonin also called the ‘happiness hormone’. Thus, a person is more likely to feel refreshed and relaxed in an open, green environment. [37][38]
AC achieves cooling through the process of evaporation. Due to this, mucous membranes in the nose and mouth get dry. [39] When moist, the immunity cells in nose and mouth are able to attract and trap viruses, bacteria and allergens. If the AC is not fitted with humidifiers, there is an increase in the levels of dryness in the surrounding air. [40][37]
Consistent direct exposure to cold, dry air could cause skin conditions [34] like dermatitis and eczema by reducing skin’s elasticity. [37]
Prior to 1994, most automotive air conditioning systems used Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) as a refrigerant. It was usually sold under the brand name Freon-12 and is a chlorofluorocarbon halomethane (CFC). The manufacture of R-12 was banned in many countries in 1994 because of environmental concerns, in compliance with the Montreal Protocol. The R-12 was replaced with R-134a refrigerant, which has a lower ozone depletion potential. Old R-12 systems can be retrofitted to R-134a by a complete flush and filter/dryer replacement to remove the mineral oil, which is not compatible with R-134a.”
Now is the time to schedule your Air Conditioning service to ensure proper and safe operation. If you have any questions about indoor air quality equipment, please feel free to ask here. Thank you for visiting heatandcooldiy.com.