Why Your AC May Be Giving You Headaches—Literally
If you or members of your household are batting constant headaches, and you can't see an obvious reason for the same, then you should consider if it's your air conditioner (AC) that is making you sick. Here are some of the ways in which an AC can trigger headaches in some people:
It Is Not Controlling the Humidity Enough
A typical AC cools the air both by lowering its temperature and also by lowering its humidity; both are necessary to make you comfortable. However, humidity control isn't the primary function of an AC, so it may not do it too well. This is particularly likely if the humidity was already high, to begin with, and the AC is also experiencing a reduced efficiency. Unfortunately, extremely high humidity levels have been known to cause headaches.
The Temperature Is Too High or Too Low
Secondly, a malfunctioning AC may also trigger headaches. This is because both high and low temperatures are known headache triggers. Therefore, you may experience headaches if the AC is malfunctioning and is not cooling the air as well as it should or if there is a mismatch between room temperature and thermostat reading, and the AC is overcooling the house.
It Is Full of Mold
You should also suspect mold infestation in your home or AC system if you are feeling constant headaches. This is because mold exposure is also a known trigger of migraine headaches. Mold can cause migraines in multiple ways, including:
- As a symptom of mold-triggered allergic reactions
- Due to high sinus pressure caused by inflammation of the sinus and nasal cavities
- As a result of exposure to mold toxins
In fact, it is not just mold that you have to worry about as far as allergy is concerned; other allergens including dust, microscopic organisms, and pest droppings can all induce headaches if they are circulated in your home and you are exposed to them.
It Is Leaking Refrigerant
The refrigerant in your AC is supposed to circulate through the dedicated closed channels; a refrigerant leak is associated with numerous dangers including headaches. This is particularly likely if the refrigerant leak is slow, which means you are talking about slow but steady refrigerant exposure.
It Is Noisy
Lastly, you may also be experiencing headaches because your AC is running too noisily. This is typical with old ACs that were not as quietly designed as today's models or damaged ACs with loose parts.
Fortunately, all these are issues that can be resolved. Just click here to contact an electrician to diagnose and fix the issue and your headaches will disappear.
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