There’s a long-standing debate about whether heating and air conditioning units might cause illness, sparking questions like “Can HVAC Make You Sick?” This appears to be particularly true in the seasons when colds and flu are common. So, what is the truth? Do these systems make people ill? In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of heating and air conditioning systems to understand how they might contribute to the spread of diseases.

Can HVAC Make You Sick? Effects of HVAC on Your Health

Respiratory Diseases

If you do not clean your air conditioner and change the filters regularly, many bacteria and fungi can grow there. Sometimes this neglect leads to black mold because moisture collects in the coils and ducts due to condensation when cold air flows through them. When these small life forms are in the air, they can cause a lot of problems with breathing. Such problems may be an infection in the lungs that could cause death or Legionnaires’ disease caused by bacteria called Legionella pneumophila. To avoid this situation, it is important to regularly clean your air conditioning systems and change the filter every few months if you do not want to do it yourself, you can hire HVAC Contractors to do these cleanups from time to time.

Mold Infestation

If you live or work close to an old air conditioner with mold, it might raise the risk of getting infections in your breathing system. Mold can make your throat feel irritated, cause difficulty in breathing, and block your nose. Should you experience any of these signs, it might be the moment to examine your environment for mold. Look inside your air conditioning unit’s vents for tiny spots and remove the filter to have a look. To kill mold in a good way, mix 1 quart of water with half a cup of bleach. Make sure to clean the mold spots well with a sponge and wear protective gloves. Should the filter have mold on it, then put in a new one.

Headaches and Fatigue

After working for a day, many people notice they are more tired than normal; others experience headaches or just feel overall fatigue. These individuals commonly see that their symptoms go away after they exit the workplace. The cause might be related to something inside the building, like the air conditioning system. A research article released on August 19, 2004, in the International Journal of Epidemiology, showed that individuals who work in office buildings equipped with central air conditioning reported more health symptoms compared to those working in places without such systems. If you increase the temperature a bit to stop shivering and make sure to take breaks often to go outside for some fresh air, this should help prevent the tired feeling that comes with “sick building syndrome.”

Contamination and Germs

The agency for protecting the environment has given a warning that inside we might face more pollution than in the outside air. This might happen because the central air conditioning system recycles old, not moving air instead of taking new fresh air from outdoors. If there is mold, dust, pet hair, viruses, or infections in the air, then people are more at risk of coming into contact with them and becoming ill.

Many central air conditioning systems are designed to consider this and permit some outside air to enter. You can also control it by slightly opening a window yourself.

Dry Skin

When you stay in a place with air conditioning for many hours, it might make your skin dry. Because the air is cool and not moist, your skin might start to lose water and become rough and peel off. Your hair and scalp might also experience some negative impacts. To fix this, HVAC consulting services recommend using a moisturizer or cream and make sure you drink enough water.

Other Health Crisis 

Research indicates that people who stay longer in places with HVAC systems go to the doctors more often than those who don’t. The examination observed a rise in problems connected to the ear, nose, throat, breathing troubles, and skin issues.

Does system maintenance make a difference?

If you maintain your air conditioning properly with the help of reliable installation, it helps to keep the air clean. However, if you do not clean it or do regular checks and repairs, dirt will accumulate and this can make pollution inside your house or office much worse. It is very important to change the filters in your HVAC system regularly.

Additionally, because it supports good air quality levels, this is more beneficial for the environment. If you replace filters or have regular inspections for different problems from HVAC installation services, you guarantee that your heating and cooling system operates at its best efficiency. If it works well, it uses less power. This means you use less energy and your monthly bills are cheaper. So remember to keep your heating and cooling system clean and in good condition; this reduces sickness risk and helps make the air pure. In the time of winter, having less moisture in the air is a big problem for stopping sickness. As said earlier, cold and flu germs are like places with not much humidity; this is why more people get sick when it’s cold.

Installing a Dehumidifier

When the air heating and conditioning make your skin feel dry, you might catch a virus more easily. You can do several things to fight against this problem. You might consider setting up a humidification system for the entire house. It will help to adjust the moisture in your home to a better level and reduce how much cold virus can spread around. It is also necessary to keep your body supplied with water. Consume a lot of water; if the inside part of your nose feels dry, you might use a spray for nose hydration.

Getting a Purifier Installed

Another choice could be to put a purifier inside the duct that can clean all of the air touched by your central heating and cooling system. You can prevent health crises and get rid of bacteria, viruses, mold, and volatile organic compounds.

Conclusion

HVAC systems for heating and air conditioning are very good at keeping the temperature cool or warm, leading many to wonder, “Can HVAC Make You Sick?” The answer is that the HVAC system does not cause sickness if it is properly maintained by professional HVAC installation services. Nonetheless, making changes to the air in your living space can reduce the chance of becoming sick from viruses that travel through the air. To help maintain good health for yourself and others, it is important to drink enough water and ensure that your heating or cooling systems are inspected and cleaned regularly.