Central Air Conditioning Can Spread Disease

Many people think of air conditioners as machines with no biological component. This is especially true when it comes to central HVAC units. The truth is, air conditioners use systems which create condensation, and they also employ filters to capture particulates that may make it into the air in the system. These two aspects of central air conditioning demand that the system be cleaned effectively and regularly. If they are not cleaned, bacteria can grow within the HVAC system. The central air can then transport the bacteria throughout a building and possibly infect many people.

One of the most dangerous and infamous ailments that occurs in such conditions is Legionnaires’ disease, which is a form of pneumonia. It was famously named as such when the first recorded outbreak occurred at the Legionnaires’ convention at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, PA in 1976. 221 people who attended the convention contracted the disease.

More recently there has been a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in New York City in the Bronx. Five large public buildings were found to have been contaminated and over 100 people were confirmed to be infected with Legionnaires’ disease. 10 people died before the buildings were decontaminated.

This has happened many times on large and small scales. Legionnaires’ disease is something that should largely be preventable with proper care of public spaces and HVAC systems. However, that seems to be a difficult task for a number of institutions. Sometimes, things get so big, you don’t even know what needs to be checked. Sometimes, it is better to downsize. A building manager searching for a more cost effective way to cool a building with an outdated and easily infected HVAC system should look no further than AC-World. Their simple and localized systems are easy to clean and maintain, without the need for an extensive ducting system. Their products are cost effective and AC-World provides the best prices and customer services to ensure a satisfactory installation.