Our companies are backed by the Five Star Guarantee. Call one today!
The warm, sunny days of summer are great for lounging at the pool, having picnics with family members and enjoying a good book on the patio. However, along with warm weather comes the risk of dehydration, heatstroke and other dangerous heat-related conditions, especially for older adults.
Proper air conditioner maintenance is essential to keeping your home not only comfortable but safe during the long summer months, especially if you live in a hot, humid area. A well-maintained system can help you remain cool and avoid dangerous health complications.
Know the Risks of Heat-Related Conditions
Heat illnesses such as heatstroke and dehydration are of special concern to seniors because they tend to feel the impact of summer heat more strongly than younger individuals. Research shows that from 2004 – 2018 approximately 40% of all heat-related deaths in America were in adults over the age of 65.
If you are a senior citizen, there are a few reasons why you are more vulnerable to the heat than younger people.
- Sweat glands often disappear or reduce in size as we age. Because seniors do not sweat as much as younger adults, it is harder for them to naturally regulate their body temperature.
- Many older people find it difficult to determine when they are thirsty because taste buds tend to diminish with age. Therefore, dehydration is a real concern for people not drinking enough water.
- Seniors store fat differently, complicating the heat-regulation process even further.
When exposed to direct sun or a very hot, humid environment, it is to suffer from heatstroke or heat exhaustion. In fact, seniors can develop a heat-related illness after just 15 minutes of exposure to heat.
Early signs of heatstroke include sweating, weakness, dizziness, headaches and muscle cramps. If you feel this way, you should stop any physical activities, move to a cooler area out of the sun to sit down and have some water to drink.
To avoid these heat-related problems, it is essential that seniors have efficient, properly maintained air conditioners in their homes. Simply turning a fan on is not enough to keep temperatures inside the home comfortable. Temperatures inside a home without proper air conditioning can rise very quickly, making the environment potentially dangerous for older adults.
Maintain Indoor Comfort and Safety
Having your HVAC system serviced on a regular basis can keep the temperature inside your home safe, cool and comfortable. A professional will help ensure your system is running efficiently, and if they detect a problem you will have time to remedy the issue before it becomes an emergency. Many HVAC companies also offer discounts or promotions during the fall months!
Regular Maintenance is Important
Regular HVAC maintenance is essential to detecting and preventing potentially dangerous cooling failures. All heating and cooling systems, even expensive models, will occasionally have problems. Regular maintenance, however, can help you avoid large, costly repairs because a qualified technician can spot any major issues ahead of time.
Reduce Energy Bills and Improve Efficiency
A poorly maintained air conditioning system often results in high energy bills over the summer months. If the system is not performing at its optimal efficiency, it takes more power and time to cool your home and keep it at a comfortable temperature. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that regularly maintaining your HVAC system can reduce your energy bill by 20% – 50%.
Find a Qualified Professional
If you are ready to find a trusted professional in your area to service your air conditioning system, Five Star Rated can help. We have identified the top-rated contractors in your area, and we never recommend a contractor who has not been vetted through our extensive evaluation process. Visit our site and find a licensed HVAC contractor who can help see that your air conditioner is running at peak performance.
Quality matters when hiring for a big project. Call a Five Star Rated professional now!