Do you dread allergy season? Depending on what you are allergic to, you can suffer at any point of the year. Thanks to Florida’s mild winters, allergens thrive from January through December. There is no wonder that we run inside for relief. But does air conditioning help with allergies? The answer may surprise you!
Air conditioning can help with allergies, but only when it’s working properly. Air conditioning should remove airborne pollutants that cause allergies through filtration and humidity control.
There are three major factors that contribute to an AC’s allergy-fighting powers.
- Ventilation
- Indoor Humidity Level
- Air Handler Filter
If one or more of these falters, your histamine levels will rise.
Allergy symptoms may include the following:
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Headaches
- Coughing
Although ACs improve filtration and humidity, there is more to the story. Action Air Conditioning will discuss how ACs help with allergies and what you can do to limit indoor allergens.
How Air Conditioning Enhances Indoor Air Quality and Reduces Allergens
ACs enhance indoor air quality and lower the risk of allergies in three key ways. First, air conditioners cool indoor spaces, removing heat and moisture from the air. They draw warm air from your home and cool it using evaporator coils. Then, they redistribute the cooled air into your living space.
Humidity control is beneficial because high moisture can significantly worsen indoor allergens. Namely, mold, mildew, and dust mites thrive in humid environments. ACs reduce indoor humidity by 50%, making conditions less favorable for these allergens.
Secondly, air conditioners use filters to remove dirt and debris from the air. Air filters act as a barrier, filtering out pollutants from your home. They help maintain adequate airflow through your system. Many systems have high-quality air filters that capture a wide range of allergens.
Filters can trap dust, pollen, and pet dander particles. For instance, High-efficiency particulate Air (HEPA) filters remove most pollutants from your home. Each type of AC filter has its own benefits for minimizing allergens.
Finally, ACs improve air circulation. Fans distribute filtered air, removing allergens from stagnant areas. Circulation is essential for preventing contaminants build up in your home.
Ventilation
Do you know what type of particulate matter is floating around your home? Indoor air quality is typically worse than outside if your ventilation system is poor. Your air quality relies on how well your HVAC circulates the air and removes offending invaders.
If your home was built within the past 15 years, your windows and doors are energy efficient, which means they were made to be airtight. This makes indoor air ventilation even more important than ever. New constructions are being built to protect building materials from moisture, but they also prevent fresh air from flowing in too.
If your HVAC system is properly ventilating your house, it can reduce:
- Moisture
- Indoor air pollution
- Allergens
Especially if you are allergic to pet dander, dust, or mold, good air circulation is crucial for better indoor air quality.
If you want to minimize allergens in your home, you need proper ventilation. Ventilation is critical for reducing airborne disease transmission and improving health. It allows for the movement of indoor air particles. Namely, ensure your AC’s mechanical ventilation systems (ducts and fans) work properly. You can also incorporate natural ventilation. If you have indoor allergies, opening windows provides fresh airflow into your home, but this is not recommended if you experience outdoor allergies!
When you speak to your trusted heating and cooling experts at Action Air Conditioning, they can help you to determine how good or bad your indoor air quality is and what could be causing problems. You may have inadequate ductwork, an improperly sized unit, or humidity issues.
Yes, when the relative humidity level indoors is too high or low, it can negatively impact your indoor air and the allergens in it! But how exactly does humidity influence your allergies?
Indoor Humidity Level
An efficient air conditioner dehumidifies the air to create the perfect relative humidity level. With the right humidity, your air feels cooler without using as much energy and your air is healthier to breathe.
So what happens if your humidity level is too high or too low?
High Humidity
Mold and dust mites love moisture and the more there is, the more they reproduce.
Even if you do not see mold around your home, it can be hiding out of sight. Mold often grows inside your vents or air conditioner unit when humidity levels are high.
Water droplets collect on and inside your HVAC system which creates the perfect conditions for mold spores to live and colonize. From there, they hitch a ride on the air handler’s breeze and travel through your home!
Low Humidity
But low indoor humidity levels aren’t much better. You need a little humidity in the air to weigh down dust and pollen, otherwise, it remains floating in the air for much longer. When allergens stay in the air, they collect in larger numbers and make you miserable!
Even when particles settle on surfaces, they have a high chance of becoming airborne again when they’re too dry. As you walk by or toss the mail on your table, they take flight.
Perfect Humidity
If the humidity level in your home is at an optimum level, allergens don’t remain airborne for too long and microorganisms like dust and mold don’t thrive. That’s good news for allergy sufferers!
Be sure your indoor humidity level is between 50% and 60% relative humidity for cleaner air. Learn more about the best humidity level for Florida.
If you notice that your air is sticky or too dry, it’s time to call your heating and cooling experts at Action Air Conditioning to help you control your indoor humidity level and finally find allergy relief.
Air Filtration
Your air handler filter is quite possibly the most powerful weapon you have against allergies. When you use the correct MERV rating for your unit, your AC can perform at its best and filter all of the air in your home multiple times a day.
But in order to do that, it needs your help. You need to change your filter every 90 days or more. Dirty filters will reduce your HVAC’s airflow, straining the system and reducing the amount of air it can clean. Changing them prevents pollutant buildup and ensures proper airflow. In return, you are less likely to suffer from allergies.
Select Effective AC Filters to Reduce Allergens
The following are several types of filters to decrease allergens in your home:
Fiberglass
Fiberglass filters contain fiberglass within a cardboard frame. They lessen the strain on your system and keep large particles, like lint and dust, out. However, they are less effective for smaller particles.
Pleated
Pleated filters consist of cotton or polyester folds. With extra pleats, they provide great filtration. They do remove small particles such as pollen, mold spores, and pet dander.
HEPA Filters
HEPA filters are a type of pleated mechanical air filter. They offer high-efficiency particulate air filtration for those prone to allergies and respiratory issues. HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns
UV Filters
The UV filters (germicidal disinfection) use ultraviolet light to kill viruses and microorganisms. However, they are less efficient at catching dust and dirt. UV filters are ideal for homeowners with bad allergies who also want to avoid additional sickness.
Does Your Air Conditioning Help With Allergies?
If not, we may be able to help!
An air conditioner should reduce the amount of allergens in a house and offer relief to allergy sufferers. If your AC is not helping with your allergies, it can be a sign that you need air conditioner maintenance.
Your unit should receive annual or biannual maintenance to keep your cooling system running smoothly. When Action Air Conditioning technicians service your AC, we thoroughly check, tune up, and clean your HVAC system to prevent avoidable repairs and help you to breathe easier.
Having a clean and efficient air conditioner will bring comfort to you and your entire family. If you want better indoor air quality and allergy relief, contact us now. Originally Published May 9, 2022.