Does AC help with allergies? It definitely can! Are you an allergy sufferer who is looking for ways to reduce your symptoms? Allergy symptoms can range from minor annoyances to major health issues, and the last thing you want to do is suffer through them.
Thankfully, air conditioning actually can provide a great deal of relief for many allergy sufferers. Let’s talk about the ways that air conditioning can help to reduce the symptoms of allergies, and how to make sure your air conditioning system is up to the task. Read on to learn more!
What Causes Allergies?
First, let’s talk about the basics of what causes allergies. Allergies happen when your body’s immune system overreacts to a harmless substance, like pollen, dust, or pet dander. When you’re exposed to these allergens, your body produces histamine, a chemical that causes the classic allergy symptoms of sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose or stuffy nose.
How Does AC Help With Allergies?
Air conditioning can help with allergies in two ways. First, air conditioners filter out allergens and airborne particles like pollen, dust, and pet dander. By trapping these allergens in the filter, air conditioners help to reduce the number of allergens in the air.
Also, air conditioners reduce the humidity in your home. High humidity levels can trigger allergic reactions, so by keeping your home at a comfortable humidity level, you can reduce your allergy symptoms.
Other air contaminants can be reduced with the use of an air purification component installed in your HVAC system like a UV light kit. For any of these functions to keep your seasonal allergies at bay, your HVAC system needs to be running optimally.
How to Maintain Healthy Indoor Air Quality
If allergies are an issue for you, you’ll want to make sure you maintain a clean air conditioner and that all of its components are in good working order. There is no way to prevent dust mites or seasonal allergens from showing up, but you can prevent poor air quality with these steps.
Replace your air filter regularly
If you have allergies, a dirty air filter will make symptoms from common allergens worse. It is recommended to change your air conditioner filter every two to three months if indoor allergens affect your health. A clean filter will help reduce the number of airborne allergens that can trigger a reaction. Cleaning or changing your air conditioner filters regularly is one of the best ways to keep the air quality in your home healthy and reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
Keep your AC fan set to AUTO
Keeping the cooling system fan set on auto reduces the amount of dust and other allergens that circulate through your home since the fan will turn on only when the compressor is running. It will also work toward humidity control which is important for the control of allergy symptoms. Humid environments encourage the growth of allergens like mold spores and other airborne allergies. Your home’s humidity is a very important part of air quality control.
Install a UV light kit or other air sanitizer options
A UV light kit or other air sanitizer options can be installed to keep the air in your home free of bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. UV lights are a form of ultraviolet light that helps to kill microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These are installed inside of your air handler and they sanitize the air as it passes through.
The UV light kills airborne microorganisms on contact, creating a safe and effective way to purify the air. Air sanitizers also help reduce the number of allergens in the air, like dust and pollen, which can be beneficial for those who suffer from allergies. Plus, air sanitizers can help to reduce unpleasant odors in the home, such as pet odors, tobacco smoke, and cooking odors.
Get on a regular AC maintenance plan
Regular maintenance is an important part of keeping your AC running efficiently for as long as possible. But when it comes to warding off an allergy attack, maintenance is all about keeping the air conditioning system clean and in good condition for the sake of preventing respiratory problems.
There are many components in your AC system that play a part in your indoor air quality. Things like dirty coils can contribute to indoor allergies because air can pick up irritant air particles as it passes through the coils. In order to maintain higher-quality air, signing up for a regular maintenance plan with a professional HVAC technician is your best option.
Contact the Professionals at Dolphin Cooling and Heating
Good air quality is essential for allergy season and beyond. Your indoor air quality is important for the overall health of you and your family, even those without allergy issues. If you are concerned about the quality of your air or the condition of your AC unit, give the professionals at Dolphin Cooling and Heating a call at (239) 596-9044 or request an appointment online.