The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system keeps your indoor air quality(IAQ) at its optimum, ensuring the room’s comfort. A poorly functioning HVAC system can mean smoke, dust, and other pollens can enter your home, increasing the risk of respiratory and skin conditions.
Apart from keeping you warm during the cold winter seasons, an HVAC system can improve your sleep quality and energy efficiency. However, there are times you just can’t use the HVAC system. They include but not limited to:
1. When It’s Malfunctioning or Broken
Many issues can arise if the HVAC system is not performing as it should. The air conditioning system pulls hot indoor air and introduces cool outdoor air. This air is purified through the duct systems to remove allergens such as mold spores, viruses, dust, or bacteria.
A broken or malfunctioning HVAC will not purify the air, making you and those living in the house, including pets, vulnerable to air pollution, resulting in diseases. Some of the common heath care problems caused by malfunctioning, broken, or poorly maintained HVAC systems include;
- Constant fatigue and illness
- Dry skin
- Breathing problems
- Wheezing
- Cough
- Fever
Also, people with pre-existing respiratory conditions like asthma may experience worse symptoms. If the air conditioning system is broken or malfunctioning, do not continue using it. Look for an HVAC expert and have them repair it.
2. During Natural Disasters
During natural disasters, most people often think only about uprooted roofs, trees, or windows. But your HVAC system may also be in trouble. Disasters like wildfire, lightning, earthquake, floods, tornados, or hurricanes can cause devastating mayhem.
During these uncertain periods, turning off your system to prevent water damage, gas leaks, or electrical hazards is advisable. Summer to fall are known as wildfire seasons, and the local authority may issue wildfire advisories.
Using your HVAC system during wildfires can be tricky, but you can learn how to use HVAC unit during wildfire advisory and maintain its performance ability.
3. When There Is A Carbon Monoxide Leak
Unfortunately, carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless, and colorless, making it deadly and difficult to detect. Only a carbon monoxide detector can help detect this gas, and most homes are recommended to have one installed.
HVAC systems can malfunction, causing carbon monoxide and other gases to leak. Because the gas is almost undetectable, some of the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Feeling weak
- Headaches
Longer exposure can lead to blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, or loss of consciousness. Keep an eye on cracked heat exchangers in gas furnaces, boilers, and furnaces with leaking seams, a combustion chamber with cracks, a pilot light that often goes off, and a bad component.
4. When Air Quality Is Compromised
Air conditioning systems can effectively eliminate outdoor pollutants by purifying outdoor air. However, not all systems can minimize the risks of deteriorated outdoor air.
When indoor air quality is poor due to pollutants like wildfire smoke, you are at a higher risk of illnesses. Most mechanical air conditioning units are manufactured with filtration systems, so ensure the filter is current.
An AC alone is not enough to remove all the pollutants that risk your comfort and health. Actually, if your filter is a HEPA filter known for its minimum efficiency reporting values (MERP) rating, you can trust that the air purification process is better.
5. During Servicing Or Maintenance
Regular maintenance is the best service you can give your air conditioning system. It allows the system to be checked for worn-out, broken, or damaged areas.
When the system is undergoing repair or servicing, it’s best to avoid using it to prevent accidents or interference with the process.
In Conclusion
The HVAC system is undoubtedly handy in most homes, especially since most people spend their time in buildings. However, there are times when you just can’t use the cooling system due to various factors, including natural disasters.
Always ask your technician or maintenance personnel when unsure of your current circumstances.
