Installing your air conditioning unit in the attic sounds like a spacious place to tuck it away. Many homeowners believe this choice is safe. But storing it here can actually put you at a greater risk of damage to your health and home.
An attic air conditioning system can leave you unprepared, missing any destruction until it affects your HVAC ducts, ceiling, or rooms below. This makes other AC systems and setups better options for most homeowners.If you’re considering a different set up, explore our air conditioning options here.
Annual Maintenance is Key to Avoiding:
- Health Concerns
- Higher Electric Bills
- Damage to Your Home
Learn more about what you should look out for and how to care for your system below.
1. Dust and Other Particles
Most attics have some degree of dust, fibers, and insulation material present. This can be a huge problem for attic-based A/C systems.
Why?
Clogs Mean Higher Electricity Bills
Your AC system has a part called the condenser. The condenser shoots out a breeze while the unit is in use. That stream of air, over time, kicks up the loose-fill insulation and dust in your attic. Over time the debris settles on the condenser, blocking the airflow and making your unit work harder.
This requires more electricity and increases the cost to run the unit.
Debris Pollutes Your Home’s Air Quality
If the air surrounding your unit is full of debris (dust, loose-fill insulation, outdoor allergens, and air pollution), expect it to get sucked into the AC system and pushed into your home.
If your HVAC system doesn’t include an air purifier, you’re breathing in debris-laden air from your attic every day you cool your home. If your indoor unit is pushing out dirty air, this can be especially cumbersome during allergy season. Leaving you to suffer without fresh air for months.
An air conditioner in this state can add sheets of dust and fibers to your home’s ventilation, burdening the air quality in every room of the house.
2. Frozen Water
When the seasons change and the weather cools, you’ll need your AC system less. This is when water can get stuck in the unit’s plumbing and freeze. As the frozen water expands, your pipes don’t swell with it, and they crack. This is only the beginning (because it’s out of sight in the attic).
When the weather begins to warm again, if you start up your AC unit before hiring a trained eye to ensure it’s in running condition, that crack can send water flooding down your ceiling and into the rooms below, amplifying the problem while giving you a mess of new problems.
3. Mold
Mold is always a risk in any A/C unit. It’s not exclusive to attic setups. Without proper care and sealing, mold spreads quickly into nooks and crannies, taking over your air from near-invisible places.
Examples of Where Mold Grows:
- Mold can grow because of clogs and stagnant water. A clogged drain line can cause mold inside and outside of the unit. Water pools inside and usually drips out once the pressure builds up.
- Dusty areas give mold something to feed on. If you see a dusty vent or damp area, know that mold will follow. This can include dust in the AC coil, vents, or HVAC system ducts.
- High-humidity areas of any kind. The location of your unit can encourage mold growth if there is debris or moisture present.
If you realize you have a mold problem, give us a call. Our certified technicians will take care of your system and find the root of the problem. Fixing it will prevent mold in the future and ensure that the cleaning lasts.
Air Quality Affects Your Health
Whether it’s mold, dust, debris, or allergens in the air, your health can be negatively impacted by not breathing enough clean air. Read our blog on indoor air quality to learn what to look for, how to manage it, and why it’s important.
Attic Air Conditioner Care Reminders
Remember, when it comes to your attic air conditioner, once a year you should:
- Switch Out the Filters
- Schedule a Professional Cleaning
- Have the System Evaluated for Leaks or Problems
Our team is here to help you with whatever your Lancaster home HVAC system needs. Whether you’re looking for an annual tune-up or you’re ready to upgrade and relocate your system out of the attic our team of professionals can make upgrading your system a seamless experience.
