Can air conditioning help your allergies? These secret A/C Tips for Allergy Sufferers can really give relief.
A/C Tips for Allergy Sufferers
Along with spring comes warmer temperatures, trees and plants springing back to life, and of course allergies. An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, which can make spring a season of sneezing, itchy eyes and congestion. Some of the most common contaminates found in indoor air include:
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
- Fibers from synthetic carpets and furniture
- Radon gas
- Gasses from cooking appliance and water heaters
- Irritants from smoking
- Formaldehyde and other chemicals used in building materials
In some instances, a central air conditioning system can actually worsen your allergy symptoms. For example, if your air conditioner isn’t properly maintained or if there is condensation in the ductwork due to leaking ductwork this can lead to mold. Which is a major irritant for most allergy suffers.
With a few simple A/C Tips for Allergy Sufferers, you could severely reduce seasonal allergy symptoms.
Don’t Skimp on Your Filter
A good air filter is your main line of defense against poor indoor air quality. All filters are assigned a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, also known as a MERV rating. This rating indicates the filter’s ability to remove various size parties from the air.
Just so you know, your nose is equivalent to a MERV 8 Filter. We recommend that allergy sufferers look for a filter with a MERV rating of at least an 8. However, the higher the better, these filters will collect microscopic particles that will reduce indoor allergens. It is just as important to make sure your filters are clean, depending on the home they may need to be changed more often. Just because the filter advertises that it is good for 3 months doesn’t mean it is. If it is dirty, replace it!
A/C Tips for Allergy Sufferers – High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters, also known as HEPA filters, are another option. These filters are made of thin glass fibers and can effectively remove up to 99.97 percent of contaminants and allergens.
To learn more about different types of air filters give us a call (561) 529-6262.
Be on the Lookout for Mold
Your air conditioner is a perfect breeding ground for mold. It is a cold, moist, dark location, which is an ideal location for mold to begin to grow. Mold loves a moist, humid environment and can aggravate symptoms of allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions.
Keeping your home’s humidity level between 30 & 50 percent not only makes your house feel more comfortable, but it also inhibits the growth of mold and dust mites. The most convenient way to do this is with a whole home dehumidifier that operates using your existing ductwork to keep your home at a constant humidity level.
Dust Registers and Vents
Even people who keep a clean home and dust the home often forget to dust their air return vents and registers. If these areas are dusty, your entire house will be dusty since the air circulated by your HVAC system passes through these vents and registers.
Schedule an Annual Maintenance
Spring is the perfect time to have an HVAC professional give your system a once-over to ensure it is in tip-top shape. The professional HVAC technicians of Complete Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating can keep your system running properly and give you tips on improving the air quality in your home.
We offer expert A/C Tips for Allergy Sufferers, AC installation and repair services in addition to maintenance services, such as air duct cleaning and repair, which can improve the health and efficiency of your HVAC system. Call today (561) 529-6262 for your appointment.
