Most consider AC maintenance as merely keeping the system functional and saving energy, but it goes beyond comfort and cost. Hidden inside your HVAC system can be contaminants that affect your health. If allergy symptoms worsen indoors or you feel sick without reason, your AC might be the cause.
Is AC Maintenance Necessary?
Is AC maintenance necessary? Without AC maintenance, your air conditioner is bound to contribute to poor indoor air quality. Here’s why. Each time your AC system kicks on, it pulls air from your room, cools it down, and pushes it back out. If filters or ducts are packed with dust, debris, or pet hair, that stuff keeps floating around your home with every cycle. That can cause sneezing, itchy eyes, or even coughing fits, especially for people with asthma or allergies.
Is AC maintenance necessary even if you don’t have a health issue? Breathing in stale air every day can leave you feeling tired or foggy. When your AC doesn’t get cleaned regularly, you’re more likely to notice that musty, dusty smell in your home, and that’s your lungs working harder than they need to.
Mold Growth in Ductwork and Evaporator Coils
Moisture is a part of how air conditioning works. As your AC cools the air, it also pulls water out of it. That water usually drains away through a small line. But if your drain is clogged or your evaporator coil isn’t clean, moisture builds up. Add some dust, darkness, and warmth, and mold finds a perfect place to grow. Mold is one of the dangers of dirty air conditioner units.
Mold inside your system isn’t always visible, but it can smell. If your AC kicks on and you get a whiff of something damp or sour, mold could be hiding in the ductwork or around the coils. That’s not just gross. The dangers of a dirty air conditioner unit are bad for your health. Breathing in mold spores can trigger headaches or breathing problems. Kids, older adults, and anyone with a sensitive immune system can feel it more. Getting a tech to clean and inspect the system keeps that moisture from becoming a problem.
Carbon Monoxide Leaks
You might not consider carbon monoxide when thinking about an air conditioner, but if your system has a furnace or heating component, it’s part of the same setup. And when heating and cooling parts share space, poor maintenance can lead to serious issues. If your unit has a crack in the exchanger or has venting problems, carbon monoxide could start leaking without you knowing. It’s colorless and odorless, so you won’t smell it or see it, but it can be deadly.
Some symptoms feel like the flu: nausea, confusion, and dizziness, but they can get worse fast. That’s why routine inspections matter. A licensed technician can check for signs that something isn’t sealed right or if anything needs replacing to stop a leak before it starts.
Increased Humidity and Bacteria Growth
Your AC is supposed to do more than cool things down; it also helps keep humidity levels low. But if the system isn’t draining water properly or the filters are clogged, the moisture sticks around. And when the air in your home stays damp, it makes the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. You might not see anything at first, but that sticky, heavy feeling in the air can lead to trouble.
Surfaces feel clammy, your skin might itch, and if you’ve got any cuts or scrapes, bacteria love that kind of setting. Some systems even start to grow bacteria inside the unit, especially around the coils, if there’s enough moisture. That air then circulates through your house, spreading germs along with cool air.
Blocked Airflow and System Strain
Skipping AC maintenance often leads to blocked airflow and system strain. Your air conditioner needs clear paths to move air. Filters, coils, fans, and vents all work together to pull air in, cool it, and send it back out. But when the filters are full of dust, or the blower motor is struggling, the air can’t move as it should. That slows everything down and makes the unit work harder than it needs to.
If your AC is constantly running but the house doesn’t feel cooler, skipping AC maintenance could be why. You might also notice that some rooms are colder while others are stuffy or warm. All that uneven cooling puts stress on the parts, which can lead to breakdowns and a need for AC repairs. It also means your system uses more electricity just trying to keep up.
Stay Healthy, Stay On Top Of Your AC
Annual AC maintenance can prolong your AC’s life and keep you comfortable. At A+ Derr in Louisville, KY, we offer heating, ductwork, and air quality services. Schedule a tune-up with A+ Derr for cleaner air.
