A packaged terminal air conditioner, otherwise known as a PTAC, is an affordable type of air conditioning system often used in hotels, hospitals, retirement homes, residential buildings, and other places where individual rooms require their own temperature controls because they don’t have any access to outdoor air.
The major reason people use PTACs is that they are cost-effective compared to traditional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. But despite the comfort it provides, especially during the summer months, PTACs can have negative side effects on your health if you fail to pay close attention to the regular maintenance and repairs it needs. Thus, here are the reasons you should consider scheduled maintenance and repairs for your PTAC:
1. Minimizes Air Pollution
Dust accumulation is a major cause of air pollution. When you fail to clean your PTAC regularly, the filter accumulates dirt and dust, which will reduce the airflow in the room. Because of the poor air circulation, you may begin to experience breathing difficulties, headaches, dizziness, or exhaustion.
This is why it’s imperative to get experts like PTAC Inc. to check the present condition of your PTAC to ensure that there’s no dirt or debris accumulated in the filter. Their services will also come in handy when in detecting whether your PTAC unit needs repairs.
2. Prevents Mold And Bacteria
Another reason to regularly maintain and repair your PTAC is to prevent mold and bacteria. PTACs can become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria if it doesn’t undergo scheduled maintenance, thus posing a significant risk to your health.
The moisture created when air is pulled over the coils of your PTAC can facilitate the growth of bacteria and mold if you don’t clean the coils regularly. Additionally, this gives the room a moldy odor that can be repulsive to the occupants of the room.
In places like hotels, retirement homes or hospitals, where PTACs are used, it’s necessary to improve air quality and keep it fresh at all times. This will be almost impossible if the managers of such establishments pay little to no attention to their PTAC’s maintenance. Some hotel owners leave their PTACs up the wall for years without ever bothering to call an expert to examine them properly and do some repairs to keep them functional. The best they often do is dust the exterior once in a while to make it look clean on the outside, forgetting that the main debris are found within the PTAC. This can be detrimental to the health of their customers, residents, and staff, especially if mold and bacteria are present.
3. Prevents Respiratory And Skin Issues
Contaminated PTAC units can result in worsening asthma and allergies for those who already have these conditions. The United States Consumer Products Safety Commission has affirmed that one of the problems that can stem from a poorly maintained PTAC is asthma attacks and, in some cases, pneumonia.
When the filter is dirty, it can cause indoor air pollution, making breathing difficult for occupants of the room. It’s also possible for users to have dry skin if they fail to maintain their PTACs properly. This is because the PTAC will be unable to function effectively in regulating the room’s air circulation.
Therefore, it’s important to have your PTAC’s filter cleaned or replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to reduce possible health risks. To do this, it’s important to:
- Clean the filter with a vacuum or running water regularly to remove dirt or dust that might be stored in the filter.
- Clean or replace the vent screen regularly.
- Clean the condenser coil to prevent bacteria from growing inside.
- Hire a professional PTAC technician to conduct a yearly maintenance check on your PTAC.
4. Avoid Ear Irritations
It’s also essential to have a professional check your PTAC regularly to avoid exposing yourself to the risk of developing ear irritations. This is because the mold circulating in the air when your PTAC is dirty can store up in the folds of your ear and cause your ear to itch and/or bleed. This is why most PTAC manufacturers recommend a complete cleaning once every year or more depending on the users’ local conditions.
Conclusion
PTACs are ideal for regulating the temperature of self-contained rooms that require their own temperature control systems. However, they can pose health risks if users fail to carry out routine maintenance and repairs when necessary. Air pollution, asthma, allergies, pneumonia, ear irritations, and other skin and respiratory issues can happen if a PTAC unit is left unclean and unmaintained. Mold and bacteria can proliferate inside the unit, which can make people sick. Make sure to regularly schedule maintenance for your PTAC unit and call a professional service if repairs are necessary.