Can I Fall Sick From A Dirty Air Conditioner?

Can I Fall Sick From A Dirty Air Conditioner? One of the most remarkable inventions that technology has brought to our plates is using aircon’s generic air purification. These devices have tremendously impacted household air quality and have become commonplace worldwide.

In Singapore, almost 75% of urban residential homes have aircon, and a significant percentage is joining the train. This number is likely to bulge in the next decade with the current projections in numbers. However useful these appliances can be, they can still be a nuisance when you don’t take good care of them.

Over time, air-con accumulates dirt as they waft, cleanse and cool the air you breathe in your home. Therefore, it reduces their functionality and efficiency, which deteriorates indoor air quality. For that reason, it calls for constant maintenance, thoroughly cleaning them if it calls for it.

But how does a dirty aircon get you sick? Read on – Can I Fall Sick From A Dirty Air Conditioner?

How a dirty aircon conditioner makes you sick

To decipher how detrimental a dirty aircon is, you must understand how it operates. Aircons constantly suck dusty air and traps dirt using their filters.

Besides, it cools the air before releasing it through its return vents, which helps maintain top-quality air. Over time, dirt can accumulate on the filters and inner components, impeding their air cleansing and cooling capacity.

Dirt in your aircon’s system airflow slows down your appliance’s air handler, and to some extremes, it impairs it ultimately. Like dominos, the effect transcends to your cooling oils, which makes them lose their cooling efficiency.

Consequently, the air it releases could be significantly worse, lodged with dirt which profoundly exacerbates allergies and other respiratory infections. Your dirty aircon’s return vents also accumulate dirt, mixing with moisture to form ideal bacteria and mold medium.

Signs your dirty aircon is making you sick

When an aircon isn’t serving its optimal air cleansing and cooling purpose, it’ll come out clear to you. The human body thrives in quality air but locks down in dirty and un-breathable ambiance.

Therefore, it’ll succinctly lay it out to you – that your appliance needs some minor tune-ups – through apparent physical body changes. Watch out for these symptoms resulting from a dirty aircon.

· Exacerbated allergies and asthma

Mold, dust, and bacteria that accumulate on your aircon‘s return duct get blown out into your indoor air. If you suffer from dust or mold allergies, you’ll start feeling as if nothing clicks okay.

Besides, if some dust mites have accumulated in your dirty aircon, you’ll become sneezy, compounded with a runny nose. This dust and mold from the aircon can also trigger pre-existing asthmatic conditions, which inflicts further mystery.

· Persistent sore throats

Besides being wheezy, there’s an incredible chance that your throat will nag you with persistent pain. Dust and molds coming out of your dirty aircon can be lodged with streptococcus bacteria, which induces strep throat. Worse still, you can still transmit them to others since they are also airborne.

If your aircon’s dirty UV lamp fails to destroy them because dirt blocks it, your appliance won’t get rid of them.

· Dry and irritated eyes

A dirty aircon has immense grime that harbors bacteria and molds, causing eye inflammation. If your aircon’s UV lamp is blocked by dust, air sterilization becomes almost impossible.

It, therefore, allows harmful bacteria, including streptococcus bacteria, to find your way into your indoor air. These and other bacteria and microbes work in conjunction to cause most eye infections, which induces eye dryness and irritation.

· Dry skin

A dirty aircon deprives your indoor ambiance of humidity because its cooling and humidifying capabilities become impeded. And since your skin is exposed to this dry skin, you’re bound to lose moisture that builds on it. Resultantly, you get dehydrated and cracky skin which usually feels uncomfortable.

Besides, irritants can also rub salt into the wound when they land on your skin. Since your skin naturally gets rid of irritants through sweat and oils, this constant need for expulsion dries your skin.

· Constant fatigue

if the air quality is terrible, it means that there’s more to what you breathe in than air alone. And since your body craves cleaner air, It’ll go the extra mile trying to deliver better air. Therefore, it uses immense energy to achieve that, which depletes your energy reserves real quick. And the result? Constant fatigue and feeling disengaged every time you’re home.

· Noise disturbances

Bearing in mind that dirt clogs your aircon, it’s typical to work extra hard to live to its mandate. This straining can make it emit loud sounds that can be nagging to your ears. Noise pollution can induce stress and strain your mental capacity, thus triggering stress levels. Besides, you won’t sleep comfortably, and lack of sleep can impact your circadian rhythm.

Aircon maintenance practices that keep dirt away

If a dirty aircon makes you sick, then obviously, cleaning it is your only go-to option. Cleansing air isn’t an easy feat, and your aircon does its best to ensure that you breathe top-quality air. So, would you mind taking good care of it as well? However daunting it may seem, it’ll all be worth it. Here’s how you maintain your aircon to keep off the dirt.

· Change your aircon filters every month

If you are intensively susceptible to dirty and moldy air that triggers constant allergies, try changing your aircon filters every month. If you’re using washable filters, wash them every other day. If you can persist in slightly deteriorated air quality, do it after every three months.

· Maintain a clean home

Yes, a dirty home can make you sick! Don’t allow dirt and grime to accumulate on the floors and furniture because they can add more particles to the air. If these particles get sucked by air in your aircon, they’ll accumulate quickly and reduce their efficiency. When this happens, you’ll have no chance to inhale quality air.

· Annual tune-ups can be effective

Better still, you can schedule annual tune-ups for your air conditioner to keep it more efficient. Tune-ups are thorough cleanings designed to eliminate dirt and grime that accumulates in your aircon components. If you’re able to do it yourself, then go ahead. However, if need be, contact a savvy aircon professional to help you out.

Can I Fall Sick From A Dirty Air Conditioner? – Conclusion

Aircons are ideal cleaning companions in your home, but a dirty aircon is the polar opposite. Grimy air conditioners have lower air cleansing efficiency and have little or no impact on your indoor air.

Besides, a dirty aircon makes you sick, making you overly uncomfortable. As a rule of thumb, ensure that your air cleaning and cooling appliance stays clean and dirt-free to enjoy effortless living.