Is AC Healthy? Air Conditioning Problems and Benefits

Air conditioning is a great tool that allows people to rapidly cool down enclosed spaces to comfortable temperatures. Like all relatively modern technological innovations, however, air conditioning faces its fair share of scrutiny on whether or not it’s truly safe and completely free of side effects.

While air conditioning is largely a good thing for human health, there are a few things that concerned homeowners and business owners should be aware of. It’s important to be completely cognizant of the health benefits and drawbacks associated with air conditioning before deciding to install air conditioning in the first place, repair your existing system or replace an older air conditioning network. Consulting with an expert in AC repair in St. Louis, MO is the best way to learn about the effects of air conditioning—both the positives and the negatives.

Health benefits of AC

Firstly, it’s important to recognize that there are several health benefits associated with air conditioning. In addition to increasing comfort, air conditioning units bring the following health benefits:

  • Lower heat-related symptoms: One of the most important benefits of air conditioning is that it reduces the impacts of heat-related symptoms and ailments, including heat stroke, dehydration and skin conditions. Overexposure to heat often causes excessive sweating, which can result in bedsores and more. Air conditioning reduces the risk of suffering from all of these ailments.
  • Improves indoor air quality: Even if you keep your home impeccably clean, there are still large amounts of dust, dander, pollen and more floating through your abode. Air conditioning systems filter the air prior to intake; this results in cleaner, healthier indoor air. Investing in air conditioning can help you reduce allergy and asthma symptoms.
  • Enhances sleep: It’s no secret that it’s difficult to sleep when it’s warm outside. Investing in air conditioning is a great way to help yourself get the best night’s sleep possible. It’s said that the best sleep occurs when it’s 68 degrees or lower; air conditioning allows you to precisely control the temperature of your bedroom.

Drawbacks of AC

There are also, however, several health risks that air conditioning systems pose, including the following:

  • Improper humidity: One health risk posed by air conditioning systems is that they can reduce or elevate a home’s humidity. When humidity is too high, it can propagate mold and bacterial growth. When humidity is too low, on the other hand, it may cause dry skin, dry sinuses and other uncomfortable conditions.
  • Refrigerant exposure: While this is less common, it can occur—and when it does, it poses a substantial health risk. Exposure to air conditioning refrigerant, especially over an extended period of time, can cause burns, respiratory problems and more. That’s why you should always rely on a qualified professional for AC repair in St. Louis, MO.

Since 1999, Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling has been a trusted source of AC services in St. Louis, MO. To learn more about our robust range of heating and cooling services, contact one of our friendly and professional representatives today.

Reduce AC Repair in St. Louis, MO with Commercial Preventative HVAC Maintenance

Do you have a preventative HVAC maintenance checklist? If you want to keep your AC repair in St. Louis, MO to a minimum, this maintenance is a must. Regular service by a professional technician will help identify problems as early as possible and help prevent further damage down the road.

To properly maintain your commercial HVAC system, use the following checklist. These minor efforts can offer major benefits for your system, your business and your bottom line.

In the Spring and Summer

In the Fall and Winter

Professional Service

When was the last time you asked a professional to tune up your HVAC system? Partnering with a professional to complete these maintenance tasks each season is the best way to extend the life of your commercial HVAC system. Your local expert will ensure all tasks are complete and your system is ready for the season ahead.

Contact the Pros

Check off your tasks with Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We’ve been providing top-level commercial AC services and AC repair in St. Louis since 1999. Reach out to us with any questions or to schedule your next maintenance appointment.

The Most Common Problems Requiring Air Conditioner Repair in St. Louis, MO

Now that we’re preparing to enter the hottest part of the year, the last thing you want to have happen is an air conditioner breakdown. Unfortunately, air conditioners tend to break down right at the worst possible times, when the heat and humidity are unbearable, largely because that’s the time of year that places the greatest strain on them.

You can avoid many of the more expensive and involved forms of air conditioner repair simply by keeping up with preventative maintenance. However, there are some problems that will force you to call a professional to come and provide you with air conditioner repair in St. Louis, MO. Here are a few of those most common issues:

For more information about the most common air conditioner problems and when you need air conditioner repair in St. Louis, MO, contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today.

Why Is an Air Conditioner’s Capacity Measured in Tons?

When we visit our customers for AC repair in St. Louis, MO it often confuses them to hear us refer to their air conditioner’s capacity using the word “tons.” They’ll look at a three-ton unit and say in disbelief, “That thing really weighs three tons?”

If the word “ton” here referred to weight, a three-ton AC would be too big for your back yard. Luckily it is not referring to weight at all, but rather to a measurement of how much heat it can remove from your house.

Answering this question is going to be fun, because it requires taking a little bit of a peek back in time.

The answer

The first thing to know is that people used to use ice to cool homes and refrigerate foods, and the measurement of an AC unit’s heat-removing capacity reflects this. A three-ton AC removes heat at a rate that a three-ton block of ice would, if it removed heat evenly and melted completely across 24 hours. Confusing? Here’s a simpler way to think about it. A three-ton AC unit is like putting a 6,000-pound block of ice in your home every day. Just without the mess, of course.

It may seem strange that ACs are measured using such an abstract standard, but it’s not strange at all when you think about how the power of other modern machines are measured. Just think about a car’s horsepower. ACs are more or less measured in ice power. So with both machines, their power is explained in terms of the things they were replacing: blocks of ice for the AC, and horse-drawn carriages for the cars.

The math

Here’s how that translates into math. A one-ton block of ice melting evenly across 24 hours would absorb heat at a rate of about 12,000 BTU/hour—one BTU can be understood as being about the same amount of heat caused by burning one match all the way down. So if you have a three-ton unit, it removes about 36,000 BTUs of heat from your home per hour, and about 864,000 BTUs per day. The heat of one match might not seem like much—but now picture the heat of 864,000 matches. Your AC unit’s pretty amazing, isn’t it?

The bottom line

What would your ancestors—after returning home from the market on their horse-drawn carriage, chipping new ice for their rooms, hour after hour, just trying to stay bearably cool—say if they could step into your home and enjoy the effortless cool that your AC provides, knowing it does not require moving three tons of ice into the house, bit by bit, in order to enjoy that cool feeling? They’d probably say, “Are you kidding me?” and then beg you to switch places. What do you think?

We hope you enjoyed this little history lesson. We know we really enjoyed answering your question! If you’ve got more questions, give us a call here at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling. We’re experts in AC repair in St. Louis, MO, and we’ve got the knowledge and expertise to get the job done right.

Three Reasons to Call Us for AC Repair in St. Louis, MO Sooner Rather Than Later

Although it’s certainly not the case for everyone, it seems like a lot of our customers wait a while before they call us for AC repair in St. Louis, MO. For one reason or another, people seem to think it’s okay to wait for repairs. This is especially true if it’s not too hot outside and a ceiling fan is keeping them cool enough. Here are a few reasons to call us as soon as your AC breaks, or if it shows signs that it’s about to fail:

The best way to avoid the need for AC repair in St. Louis, MO this summer is by calling us to perform general maintenance on your unit sometime within the next few weeks. Our certified technicians can clean, tune up and check every aspect of your air conditioner to ensure that it’s running correctly and efficiently all summer long.

If your AC system happens to run into trouble sometime this year, be sure to call Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling as soon as possible. Our fast, reliable and affordable service has made us the area’s number one choice for air conditioner repair for nearly 20 years, and we look forward to helping you soon.