Think You Might Be Allergic To Air Conditioning? Here Are Five Things That Can Fix It
Think You Might Be Allergic To Air Conditioning? Here Are Five Things That Can Fix It
Do your allergies flare up as soon as your turn on your air conditioning? While you might think the air conditioning is causing the flare-up, it is unlikely you are allergic to air conditioning. Air conditioners are great at filtering air and are recommended for people with allergies to alleviate symptoms. But if the system is not correctly maintained, it can lower the quality of the air circulating through the unit. That’s when dust and allergens can start to circulate in your home, causing flare-ups.
If you have been experiencing some allergy symptoms, your system may need a clean. Here are a few things you can do to improve air quality and reap the benefits of air conditioning on your allergies.
Clean Your Return Air Grill Filter
The return air grill is the first place your system will collect dust. The return air grill is designed to allow air to flow into the air conditioning system and is filtered through a filter media before entering the system. The filter media that covers the grill is designed to collect dust, pollen, and other particles in the air. As a rule, we recommend people clean the filter every three months, but if you have trouble with your allergies, it may be best to clean it more often.
Clean Your Air Grills
Air grills and ceiling diffusers can also get dust build up over time. If you have been experiencing allergies, look closely at your grills. If there is dust build-up, the air from the grill may be pushing dust into your home.
There are a few simple ways to clean the air grill. Use a vacuum with a brush tip attachment to quickly suck up all that dust build-up. Or you can take a clean, damp microfiber cloth with some disinfectant to thoroughly clean the grills.
Invest in Allergy-Friendly HEPA Filters
Not all filters are the same. There are hypo-allergenic filters on the market, specially available to allergy sufferers. If you are unsure if your filters are hypo-allergenic, reach out to your installer or maintenance provider and ask them what filters they have installed.
Ensure your air conditioner traps as many airborne pollutants as possible by investing in an electrostatic or high-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter.
Book An Annual Maintenance
If all this seems a bit too much hard work, you can always book an annual maintenance with our friendly service technicians. Simply let our technician know that you suspect you may be allergic to air conditioning, and we will check the filters and clean them while checking the system for any other issues.
Allergies can be a pain, but they don’t have to stop you from enjoying the suitable climate in your home. Remember it is unlikely you are allergic to air conditioning. These simple tips can help keep the air quality in your home clean and ward off those pesky effects of allergies.
