Do Air Conditioners Bring in Fresh Air From Outside?

Imagine it’s a hot Los Angeles summer day, and you’re sitting comfortably in your air-conditioned home in Culver City. You may believe your AC system is continually pulling in fresh air from outside to cool your house, but is that really the case? In this guide, we’re finding out: do air conditioners bring in fresh air? It’s a seemingly simple question, but one that can get surprisingly complex as you dive in. 

The way air conditioners work might surprise you. Their primary function is not to bring fresh air indoors, but rather to cool the air already present inside your home. But what does this mean for your indoor air quality (IAQ), and can you do anything to improve it?

How Central Air Conditioners Work in Los Angeles Homes

While you may think air conditioners cool the air, they actually perform several key functions to keep your environment comfortable. Beyond chilling your space, they’re also hard at work controlling the quality of the air you breathe.

We’re talking about more than just temperature control here – your air conditioner is responsible for controlling humidity levels too. That’s right, your AC unit works to reduce the moisture in your space, keeping you from feeling sticky and clammy. But do central AC systems bring in outside air? The answer is no, and to understand, we need to compare recirculated versus fresh air.

The Difference Between Recirculated and Fresh Air

So does an AC bring in outside air? Not exactly, but it still plays an important role in ventilating your home to ensure clean, fresh air. Air conditioners use recirculated air, meaning the air that’s already in your home gets reused again and again in the system.

Even though you’re indoors, you don’t want to feel cooped up, right? You crave the freedom of fresh air. But here’s the kicker: standard air conditioners don’t typically pull in fresh air from outside. Instead, they recycle and cool down the existing air within your space. It’s a closed system, designed to give you control over your environment without needing to leave windows or doors open.

Do Window Air Conditioners Pull in Outside Air?

When you look at a window air conditioner, you might assume that it pulls cool air in from outside. But in fact, these function just like a central unit, recirculating the air that’s already in your home. The exterior portion of the air conditioner releases heat and humidity outside, but doesn’t take in any outdoor air. 

How HVAC Systems Use Fresh Air Intakes

HVAC systems generally don’t pull in fresh air from outside, but there is one exception. Certain newer models may have an AC fresh air intake or air exchange, but this isn’t a particularly common feature. Since indoor air can be as much as 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside, this feature alone can make a new AC installation worth it for those with respiratory illnesses or allergies. 

The Role of Air Filters in Improving Indoor Air Quality

Whether your system has a fresh air intake or not, one of the best ways to maintain your IAQ is by keeping up with regular AC filter changes. These filters help to keep dust, pollen, and, depending on the filter type, even mold spores and viruses out of your air, ensuring clean, healthy air in your home. Exact specifications vary depending on your AC and filter type, but these filters should generally be cleaned or replaced every 1-3 months for optimal IAQ.

Does Running AC Improve Ventilation in Your Home?

Now that we know a bit more about how air conditioners work, let’s explain air conditioner ventilation. ACs both cool and ventilate your air, which can make a big difference for your indoor air quality (IAQ). Even though most air conditioners don’t bring in outdoor air, this circulation and ventilation prevent your air from becoming stale and stagnant, which can affect your respiratory health or make allergy symptoms worse. 

When to Consider Adding a Fresh Air Ventilation System

Dealing with indoor air quality concerns such as stale air, respiratory illness, or worsening allergy symptoms? It may be time to look at the connection between your air conditioning and indoor air quality. Since your AC doesn’t filter outside air, you’ll need to look into replacing the system with a unit that has a fresh air intake. 

How Los Angeles Climate Impacts Indoor Air Quality

People with respiratory concerns in Los Angeles are in a tricky situation when it comes to IAQ. Contaminants can build up in our indoor air over time, and there’s also the real concern of outdoor pollutants, whether it’s exhaust from the thousands of cars on the 5 or smoke from seasonal wildfires. In these cases, it makes sense to have an AC with an air intake that can be opened and closed, opt for an exhaust vent that lets contaminants out of your home without bringing new air in, or simply open some windows when the pollution levels are low outside.

Benefits of Professional HVAC Service for Air Quality

If you have concerns about your IAQ, there’s no replacement for the knowledge and expertise of an HVAC professional. Maximizing the efficiency of your air conditioner isn’t just about saving on electricity bills; it’s also key to improving the indoor air quality of your home. To start, you’ll want to keep your AC unit well-maintained and clean, ideally with the help of HVAC maintenance professionals. This helps prevent the buildup of mold and bacteria that can worsen the air quality.

Service Genius is proud to offer comprehensive IAQ and AC services in our LA community. With countless glowing reviews from past customers and a commitment to bringing you affordable service through special offers, guidance on energy efficiency tax rebates, and flexible financing, we’re Los Angeles’ top choice for air conditioning and indoor air quality service.

Schedule AC Service With Service Genius

If you’re tired of allergies and dry coughs, it’s time to look deeper at the connection between your air conditioner and your indoor air quality. For more information on heating, cooling, indoor air quality, or to request an HVAC service appointment, contact Service Genius today!