What Is A Good Cooling Or Heating System To Buy If I Have Kids?

Heating and cooling expert Annette Floridia shares this story. "I had a customer tell me that his young son was outside playing in the yard and had stuck a stick down the top of their air conditioning unit. The fan motor grabbed the stick and jerked it so hard that it almost pulled the little boy's hand down into the air conditioning unit." The solution, she says, is to choose a unit that has safety features to prevent accidents of this nature. The Trane XL is one model that has cabinets on the outside to ensure safety for both small children and animals. The fans on these units have a complete cover over them, which keeps debris, leaves, and sticks out when you are mowing your lawn so they cannot fly in and damage the coils. The fan is also placed lower in the unit so it is even less accessible to children. Another safety feature is that everything is smooth and there are no sharp corners. The cabinets are also protected by a baked-on coating similar to those used in the military, which prevents rusting from the inside out. She recommends Trane heating and cooling systems because they are American-made with quality workmanship and good materials. Trane has also been voted top-of-the-line in Consumer Reports.

Children are especially vulnerable to allergens and other air pollutants. When choosing a new cooling and heating system you should choose one that improves the air quality with use of air cleaners. Built-in electronic air cleaners remove dust and other particles from the air and are particularly helpful if you have pets that stay indoors and lose hair and dander, which may cause allergies. Another accessory that can be included in your heating and cooling system is a humidifier. By adding humidity to the air, the causes of sinus infections, sore throats, and static electricity are reduced.

Another way to create an allergy free home is to have your air ducts professionally cleaned. This is especially recommended when replacing your heating or cooling system. Air ducts are home to dust, dirt, mold, pet hair, rodent, and insect droppings, bacteria, and fungus. Your whole family will benefit from having this system thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. An added bonus is less dust to settle on your furniture, floors, and knick knacks, which can reduce regular cleaning chores.

To further protect children, you should explain and demonstrate the workings of your home's heating and cooling system. Rules and guidelines should be established about who is allowed to adjust the thermostats and other controls. Let your children watch while you change the air filters and explain the importance of not removing return air registers when an adult is not present. Children are curious and will be less likely to explore dangerous appliances on their own if they have been shown how they work.

So, ensure that your heating and cooling unit has all safety accessories possible, make use of air cleaners and humidifiers, and talk with your children about how the heat and air conditioning in your home work to ensure their safety and health.