Dirty condenser coils can also make you sick. The Freon gas that circulates through the coils can become contaminated with mold, mildew, and bacteria. When the Freon is released into the air, you can breathe in the contaminants, which can cause respiratory problems.
If you work in an air-conditioned building with poor ventilation, it can raise your risk of “sick building syndrome.” Symptoms include headaches, dry cough, dizziness and nausea, trouble concentrating, fatigue, and sensitivity to odors.
Living or working near an old and moldy air conditioner can increase your chances of respiratory infection. Mold also causes symptoms like throat irritation, wheezing, and congestion. If you are feeling any of these symptoms, it may be time you checked out your surroundings for mold.
Dirty AC coils become insulated rather than able to release heat the system extracts from the air. The system will therefore struggle to cool your home. Indoor air can become more humid too, as the system won't be able to extract as much moisture, making things extremely uncomfortable in the summer.
Signs that your AC coils need cleaning include reduced cooling efficiency, longer cooling times, and higher energy bills. If you notice these issues, it's time to clean the coils.
Most HVAC professionals recommend AC coil cleaning once or twice a year. If dust and dirt build up on the coils, major problems can occur. The AC coil cleaning cost is around $100 to $400 as of 2024, according to Homeguide (for an evaporator coil), and up to $700 to remove and clean the coil.
It is advisable to use a humidifier alongside your home conditioner if you experience any air conditioning sickness symptoms. Also, drink a lot of water during the day to reduce this effect.
In fact, you should go a step further and regularly service your air conditioning unit if you're prone to sinus problems. Mold, dust, and pollen can get caught in the coils and be recycled back into the air you breathe, irritating your already compromised sinuses.
Drink more water to keep yourself hydrated and your throat and nasal passages moist. If you are experiencing exhaustion, headaches, and sore muscles and joints, turn that air conditioning down! Your air conditioner should be set at a comfortable, room temperature.
Exposure to AC will affect respiratory health
Sleeping in a room with the AC on can lead to respiratory problems, particularly for individuals who are sensitive to cold air or have existing respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies.
Dry eyes, lethargy, dehydration, dry or itchy skin, headaches, respiratory issues, allergies and asthma, noise pollution, infectious diseases, and indoor pollutants are among the common health concerns associated with prolonged exposure to air conditioning.
Dirt will make your AC less efficient, which means you'll have higher energy bills each month. Dirt buildup on your AC coils will make it difficult for the system to absorb and dump heat, causing the system to be less efficient. You may even start to feel like your AC is running constantly.
Determining how often to clean AC coils is crucial for your unit's performance and longevity. A rule of thumb is to clean them annually, but environmental factors like dust, allergens, and your AC's usage could warrant a more frequent schedule.
A dirty AC system can lead to many breathing problems. If you have a runny or stuffy nose that develops when you're inside but goes away when you leave, this is a clear indication that your air conditioner's filter is dirty.
Fatigue or Feeling Sick May Relate to the AC
When you feel sick and have regular headaches, it may relate to your air conditioner. The cold temperatures may cause fatigue, headaches, dizziness or other symptoms of a cold or flu. A simple solution for this problem is turning up the temperature.
Legionella bacteria can proliferate in air conditioning systems, particularly in cooling towers. Inhalation of contaminated aerosols can lead to Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia. Symptoms include high fever, cough, and muscle aches. In extreme cases, it can be fatal.
Your unit seems to be running longer for no reason.
When the AC coils are dirty, the unit has to work longer and harder to cool the inside space. You'll hear the blower running and feel air coming out of the ducts for a long period of time.
Indicators of SBS include:
Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache; eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.
While there are a number of commercially available coil cleaning solutions on the market, air conditioner coils can be cleaned with a solution of a mild household detergent and water. The detergent and water mix is applied to the coil using a low-pressure sprayer.
If proper maintenance is regularly performed, then the evaporator coils should last 10 to 15 years, which is the ideal lifetime for an evaporator coil and comparable to the lifespan of an AC unit. However, how long your evaporator coils last will be much shorter if your unit is improperly maintained.
Replacing an evaporator coil costs an average of $1,350, and it often ranges from $600 to $2,000 depending on the size, type, and the cost of pro labor in your area.