It’s allergy season once again, and as the warmer temperature causes pollen levels to spike, millions of people are sure to experience hay fever, sneezing, watery eyes, skin itching, and other symptoms. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, nearly 1 in 3 US adults and 1 in 4 children reported having seasonal allergies. Most people with seasonal allergies experience symptoms in the spring, summer, and early autumn months, but those with sensitivities to animal dander, house dust mites, or mold spores will have symptoms all year round.
Reducing exposure to pollen, dust, and mold is key to preventing seasonal allergy symptoms. You can achieve this by keeping your windows and doors shut, as well as cleaning your floors and bedding frequently. Using your air conditioner will also help to keep your home comfortable while eliminating micro particles and allergens. You may not know it, but your cooling system is one of your strongest defenses against seasonal allergies. Here’s how your air conditioner can provide maximum allergy protection for you and your family.
Traps Allergy Triggers
Climate change is causing the allergy season to hit harder and last longer. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that warmer temperatures are trapping heat in cities, stimulating pollen production and increasing air pollution. Allergies can affect people anywhere, and if you’re one of the 82 million people with seasonal allergic rhinitis triggered by pollen or mold, you need to have a treatment and prevention plan to keep your symptoms under control.
If you have yet to invest in an air conditioner unit, now would be a good time to do so to keep symptoms at bay. Choose a model that has features to improve air quality while controlling humidity, and call a technician for proper air conditioner installation. Having an expert install your unit can maximize energy efficiency, prevents costly future repairs, and helps you avoid potential penalty fees. They may also advise you on key features for allergy-friendly units, such as a system that supports HEPA filters.
An AC with a HEPA filter can trap 99.97 percent of airborne allergy triggers like pollen and dust mites. Even the smallest particles can be captured since the filter’s fibers are randomly arranged, forming a thick, dense barrier that makes it difficult for allergens to pass through. To maintain efficiency and keep your home allergen-free, plan on replacing your unit’s HEPA filters every six to eight months or as directed by the AC manufacturer.
Prevents Mold Growth
Mold thrives in environments with high humidity levels, and it’s why many homes in extremely humid states like Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have significant mold growth. The presence of mold not only triggers skin itching, eye irritation, and respiratory issues, but it can also cause severe reactions including asthma attacks, intense inflammation of the sinuses, and infection in people with compromised immune systems.
If you live in a humid region, choose an air conditioner unit with a built-in dehumidification feature. This will reduce your indoor humidity levels by removing excess moisture from the air, making your home feel cooler and more comfortable. It also keeps humidity levels in the ideal range, which is between 30 to 50 percent, and this helps to prevent mold growth and leads to a healthier home environment. Be sure to use the dehumidifier feature on hot summer days when it’s hot and sticky outside. It’s also recommended to switch it on during spring and early fall since humidity levels during these times can be surprisingly high, even on days when the temperature is quite mild.
Improves Air Flow and Circulation
Ever experience coming home after a long holiday, and getting the sneezes the minute you walk in the door? It’s likely that the stagnant air is triggering your allergies as unventilated environments are typically filled with high concentrations of pollutants and allergens. Particles like dust, pollen, animal dander, and mold spores remain suspended in the air in unventilated rooms, increasing your exposure to various allergy triggers which can make you sneeze, cough, or feel itchy whenever you’re in these areas.
Your AC system can improve your home’s ventilation since it continuously circulates the air through its filter, making the air move constantly throughout the house. This keeps the air from being stagnant and prevents allergens from settling in the air and on surfaces. To maximize the process, place a box fan or portable fans near your air conditioner vents to help the cool air reach more areas in your home.
Your air conditioner can help to create an indoor environment that’s free of airborne irritants and allergy triggers. Always keep your AC unit well maintained, replace the filters, and use it whenever you need to cool or freshen your rooms to combat the spread of allergens in your abode.