As the heat and humidity begin to overwhelm us, we wonder how we'd survive without air conditioning. It's convenient to turn on the AC as soon as the temperature makes you uncomfortable but doing so could be harmful to more than just your wallet. Old and poorly-maintained AC units have been shown as factors in many health conditions, including respiratory conditions and the spread of some diseases. Fortunately, it's quite easy to minimize any such risks. Since air conditioning is everywhere now -- in our homes, cars and offices -- it's important to maintain clean units to protect indoor air quality and personal well-being. One popular service you may see advertised is air duct cleaning. While the EPA cannot provide evidence to support the claim that cleaning your home's air ducts every year will reduce health problems, it does recommend having them cleaned if there is visible mold growth or a buildup of dust. Industry professionals also warn against the health problems associated with visible dust and mold.

"There are several reasons to have a professional HVAC technician evaluate or clean your air conditioning system each year before you put it into operation," says Steve Beeler, president of RSC Heating and Air Conditioning. how much is a new air conditioning unit for a house"Most importantly is the health and safety of the occupant."how many filters do ac units have "The indoor section of an air conditioning unit creates condensation all summer long when the air conditioning unit runs, and is a prime catalyst for mold and mildew growth," says Beeler. window ac units tips"As the system lays dormant over winter, the mold can spread and grow and, if not cleaned properly, can create respiratory problems and what some people refer to as a 'dirty sock odor.'

The blower wheel and motor also can become dust covered, which is a food source for mold to thrive." Had part of your home renovated recently? That's another good reason to have your air ducts cleaned. Home renovations, especially if the changes were made to remove asbestos or lead-based paint, can cause unwanted debris to get caught inside ductwork. Having this debris cleaned out before you begin using your AC unit for the summer ensures that you don't end up circulating dust and particles from the renovation throughout your home. In addition to having a professional clean you air ducts, there are other steps you can take to make your air conditioner safer. Read on to learn more about poor air quality and how you can improve it. How Can Your AC Unit Cause Poor Air Quality in Your Home? Most residential AC units recirculate indoor air to save energy. This can negatively impact indoor air quality without a minimum of 15 cubic feet of outside makeup air per minute per person.

When basic maintenance such as changing the filters is not performed, airflow is restricted. When filters are dirty they don't stop allergens, pesticides and other outside irritants from entering your home. Window units that are not properly sealed let in outside air, undermining the work of the unit. Your AC unit may have to run more and work harder to keep your house at the desired temperature. How Can You Protect Yourself Against AC Air Pollution? There are many small steps you can take to protect yourself and your family against air contamination caused by a dirty air conditioning unit. Often, it's simply a matter of thinking about it and remembering to act before the summer gets underway. Health Summer Air Conditioning Summer HealthNo heat/low heat complaints for commercial properties are not covered under the municipal regulations. Refer to the Ministry of Labour for heat complaints in commercial properties.The bylaw ONLY applies to residential properties.

Chapter 629 - 38 Heating and air conditioning (full details are available on the City of Toronto website: http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/municode/1184_629.pdf ) A. Every heating and air-conditioning system or unit shall be kept in good repair and maintained in good working condition at all times relevant to the operation of that system. G. All air conditioners and other water-cooled equipment shall be equipped with proper devices for the prevention of condensation drainage or discharge onto sidewalks, walkways, driveways and entrance areas or other areas used for pedestrian or vehicular traffic. H. The devices provided under Subsection G shall be configured so as not to cause damage to the walls or foundations or other parts of a building. No building permit is required to install a window air conditioner in a rental unit or privately owned home, but tenants should consult their lease agreement to determine if they are permitted in their units. A landlord is responsible for providing heat to a residential dwelling at a minimum of 21 degrees Celsius between September 15 and June 1 of each year.

Note: the landlord can adjust the heating and cooling of the building to meet the minimum temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. If the heating/ventilation system is out of service and currently being repaired/maintained, this is NOT a violation and no investigation is required. If you have concerns about the heating or cooling in your rental unit, please speak to your landlord or property manager. You should make your request in writing to the landlord by completing a work order or a Standard Maintenance Request. The Heating By-law is not applicable to common areas (hallways, stairwells, building entrances, etc). The By-law only applies to the dwelling unit. If there is heating equipment in common areas, so long as the equipment is in good working order (Property Standards By-law requirement), there is no minimum temperature that applies to these areas. If the issue is not addressed within a reasonable amount of time, you can contact 311 to file a complaint. A service request will be submitted for investigation by Municipal Licensing & Standards.

CondominiumsIf the condo unit is owner occupied Municipal Licensing & Standards (ML&S) will NOT investigate a complaint about the condition of that unit. If you are a tenant in a condo unit, contact the condo unit owner. If you are a condominium unit owner and the entire condo building has no heat, contact your condominium property manager first. If the situation is not resolved within a reasonable period of time, contact 311 to submit a service request for investigation by Municipal Licensing & Standards. Note: Under Toronto Municipal Code Chpt 497 - Heating - both a condo unit owners or condo property managers can be considered as "landlords" provided they collect rent or lease out the unit and are therfore subject to prosecution. Air conditioning (maximum temperatures)Air Conditioning should go on, if provided/supplied by the property owner, from June 2nd to Sept. 14th to maintain an indoor temperature of not more than 26 degrees Celsius. Municipal Licensing & Standards is unable to take any action outside of these dates.