Air conditioning can enhance comfort and increase productivity. Most importantly, air conditioning has a direct and indirect impact upon the health of children and adults through the improvement of indoor air quality. Lung disease, kidney disease, cancer, heart disease and diseases of the central nervous system are amongst the illnesses that are associated with poor air quality. These diseases can result in health-related disabilities. Air quality is particularly important to people with disabilities who, as a group, spend more time indoors. Elderly people with health-related disabilities are especially vulnerable to heat. Some chronic medical illnesses and prescription medications can impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature, and induce heat stress.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documents the pervasiveness of indoor air pollution. This pollution is associated with many factors, including high temperatures and humidity that cause mold, fungi, insects to develop. Air conditioning serves as a source of powerful ventilation that dilutes indoor pollutants and expels them from a home and other buildings.Cleaner air has both a direct and indirect impact upon the health of a building's inhabitants. For example, people with disabilities who live at home may be more likely to comply with recommendations for physical therapy or occupational therapy if they feel better and are able to breath more easily.
HVAC/R technicians (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning /Refrigeration) are experts in the installation and maintenance of air conditioners and other equipment that regulates air quality. All technicians are required to pass certification exams, and some states have licensing requirements. Specialized exams and certification are offered to HVAC/R technicians who have a minimum of one year’s experience in installation and a minimum of two years of experience in maintenance and repair
Consultation with a H/VAC-R technician should precede the decision to repair an old system or select a new one. Environmental issues have influenced the development of more effective technology, and replacement may be less expensive than repair. Another important issue is the type of unit that is most appropriate to the location and structure of your home. In addition to questions about the cost of purchase, costs related to installation and maintenance should be considered.
