Can My AC Make Me Sick

Can my AC make me sick? Everyone gets sick from the common cold or flu every so often. This is to be expected. However, if you are frequently ill with symptoms similar to allergies every time you sit in an air-conditioned room or office, your AC may be making you sick.

AC sickness is not a well-known issue, although it does exist. However, it’s not the AC unit itself that makes you sick but other variables that create a toxic environment. Addressing these variables can help you avoid feeling sick.

How Can Your AC Make You Sick?

Your air conditioner circulates air throughout your house, and if there are any pollutants in the air, they will get dispersed throughout and trigger allergies and health issues. If there are elements like mold, dander, or bacteria floating around, your AC will circulate them, which can lead to respiratory issues, sore throats, and stuffy noses.

Plus, you have to maintain your air conditioner to make sure that bacteria or mold do not grow. If you enjoy a cold house, just remember that cold temperatures can spread illness and lower your immunity.

For example, sick building syndrome occurs when poor air quality caused by dust, mold, smoke, poor ventilation, and more impact the occupants of the building. They notice symptoms like headaches, skin conditions, difficulty breathing, and fatigue whenever they spend time inside the building. This can also happen in office buildings with an air conditioning system. These symptoms usually go away when they leave the building.
Signs of Air Conditioning Sickness
If you work in an office or increase your home’s AC use during summer, you may not realize how important air quality is for your health. The following are a few symptoms that indicate air conditioning sickness. It’s important to treat these as soon as possible to avoid adverse effects.

● Mold: If you can see visible mold around any part of your HVAC unit, vents, or walls, then you should be concerned. Mold and mildew can lead to severe health issues.
● Respiratory or breathing problems: If you notice that you have difficulty breathing when you are in an air-conditioned room but are fine when you leave it, you may need to change your air filters. It’s best to change them after 250 hours of use or every three months.
● Allergy-like or cold symptoms: Anytime you experience any of these symptoms, you may have air conditioning sickness—this can include coughing, wheezing, sneezing, sore throat, etc. You may need to do a maintenance check on your AC or replace your air filter.
● Dry skin: Your AC cools down your house by removing moisture from the air, which can lead to dry, itchy, flaky skin. If you run your AC for a long time, it can reduce the humidity and result in dryness.
● Dry eyes: When the humidity levels fall, it can leave your eyes irritated and feeling dry.
● Headaches: If you notice headaches or dizziness when sitting in your hours for a long time, it may be due to your AC.
● Fatigue: Your body uses energy to keep warm and maintain your body temperature. Keeping a very cold house at all times could result in fatigue.

Learn More About Your AC

Air conditioners are not bad for your health, especially if you maintain them regularly. They only present an issue if you allow your AC to be a breeding ground for mildew, mold, and harmful bacteria. Keeping your air conditioner clean and maintaining a reasonable temperature should keep you and your family safe and healthy.

It is recommended that you schedule regular HVAC checkups to stay on top of signs of leakage or mold and mildew. Additionally, you should clean and replace your air filters regularly.

While AC sickness can occur, it can be prevented altogether. If you notice any unusual symptoms, Lee AC company suggests that it may indicate that your AC needs to be inspected and cleaned.

Photo by Zohre Nemati on Unsplash