Air Conditioners Can Help with Summer Allergies
Air Conditioners Can Help with Summer Allergies
In our part of the country, the warm climate allows flowers to bloom year-round. However, it also means year-round issues with pollen and allergies. If you, or your loved ones experience allergies or asthma issues, there are ways to control allergens in your home. Air conditioners can reduce and control the number of allergens floating around your indoor air.
Aside from air conditioners, other HVAC products can help control your indoor air quality and prevent allergies and asthma in your home. AC Southeast® understands the frustration and misery allergy sufferers experience, which is why we want to help! Know how to control allergens and reduce asthma triggers in your home with the right HVAC tools.
Tips to Better Control Allergies
Air conditioners can either help or harm your allergies. There are many ways you can reduce allergens in your home and boost your indoor air quality at the same time. Here are a few tips to ensure easy breathing in your home:- Filter MERV Rating: A filter is the first line of defense against pollen, dirt, and other debris flowing through the air in a cooling system. Install a filter with a high MERV rating so air conditioners can effectively remove contaminants from the air before it’s delivered into a home. The higher the MERV rating, the smaller the microscopic particles that can be trapped with the filter.
- Ultraviolet Lights: Mold is another allergen, which occurs in any area of a home where it’s damp. Air conditioners can accumulate mold and mildew inside due to excess water building up from condensation. Ultraviolet lights are installed in an air conditioner, killing any existing mold and preventing mold from forming in the future. Air conditioners can also use ultraviolet lights to kill microscopic mold spores entering from outside.
- Air Cleaners: Allergens and other pollutants in your home can escape regular filtration in your air conditioner. Air cleaners are installed between the air return duct and the air conditioner to clean air again before it cycles through your ductwork. Air conditioners can operate longer when air is filtered with the help of an air cleaner, too! An air cleaner will prevent dirt, dust, and other debris from clogging up your ductwork, which restricts airflow and forces your cooling system to operate harder to keep you cool during the hotter months.
- Control Humidity: Allergens, such as mold, mildew and dust mites thrive in moist areas. A whole-home dehumidifier reduces the excess moisture in your home, keeping it comfortable when the humidity outside reaches higher levels. Air conditioners can remove some moisture when it cools a home. However, if the humidity level is high, extra help might be needed with the help of a whole-home dehumidifier.
Asthma Triggers in Your Home
Just like with allergy suffers, people who deal with asthma can find relief if they know how to control what triggers it. Preventing asthma issues goes hand-in-hand with reducing allergens in your home. Air conditioners can reduce asthma triggers when paired with the right filter and other indoor air quality products. Common asthma triggers consist of:- Dust Mites
- Tobacco Smoke
- Pets
- Mold/Mildew
- Influenza
- Common Cold
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- Sinus Infections
- High Humidity
- Dry Indoor Air
