Healthy Air Conditioning Tips for People Who Suffer From Allergies
Posted on: 18 August 2015
If you have allergies, you likely want to close the doors and lock the windows when pollen and other outdoor allergens are at their peak. During that time, you can rely on your air conditioner to keep you cool, but unfortunately, as it circulates air, it may also circulate allergens.
Luckily, there are ways to use your AC but while reducing the number of potential allergens in your home:
1. Clean your ducts
Anything that is in your ducts can be circulated through your home by your air conditioner, and in most homes, ducts -- especially ones that have never been cleaned -- harbour construction debris such as drywall and concrete dust as well as allergens from outside such as pollen and small particulates. Professionally cleaning your ducts removes these annoyances.
2. Install an allergen filter system
Most air conditioners have filters that remove small allergens and debris and stop it from circulating around your home. To keep your system working as designed, you need to change your filter on a regular basis.
If possible, opt for an anti-allergen filter. These extra fine filters can catch anything, from dust mites to pet dander, and as a result, they help make your indoor air easier and nicer to breathe.
3. Explore ductless units
If the idea of cleaning your ducts and changing your filters doesn't sound appealing, you can avoid both of those tasks by putting a ductless AC into your home. These units can be assigned to just a single room, or you can put them in all over your home. In most cases, they don't harbour as many allergens as conventional central air conditioning systems.
4. Support your AC with air purifiers
Regardless of how well you maintain your cooling system, you don't want it to be the only thing that cleans the air in your home. Instead, support your system with air purifiers. You can buy electronic purifiers, but you can also take a natural approach and fill your home with plants that clean the air such as peace lilies or bamboo palm.
5. Monitor areas near ducts for mold
Finally, remember to check the area around you AC's ducts for mold. As these ducts move cool air through potentially warm areas like your attic, condensation can build up along their sides, and as a result of that moisture, mold can happen. Mold can make anyone sick, but it can be terrible for allergies sufferers. Monitor your home for mold, and if you find any, work with a mold mitigator to remove it.
Contact a company such as West Air Conditioning to learn more.
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