How to get through the Allergy Season: 4 Home Air Conditioning Tips

 Sunny days, new flowers, and budding trees are things to look forward to in spring—but not for an allergy sufferer. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergic rhinitis or hay fever, an allergic reaction to pollen, affects 20 million of the adult population and 6.1 million of the children population. This type of allergy can cause symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and itching of the nose, eyes, and roof of the mouth.

At home, you can protect your loved ones from spring allergies by optimizing your home air conditioning. Air conditioners play a more important role than simply keeping your indoors cool and comfortable. They clean the air inside your home by trapping allergens, such as dust, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander, through their air filters.

Here’s how you can optimize your AC system to relieve allergy symptoms:

Dust registers and return vents

Vents allow the free flow of air to and from your air conditioning system. Dust and dirt can accumulate in these areas over time. Unless cleaned, it can circulate through your home and cause allergies. When cleaning your registers and vents, use a damp cloth to avoid kicking up particles into the air.

Clean your air filters

Dirty air filters can pollute the air circulating through your home. These filters catch outdoor allergens, such as dust, pollen, and dander, in the air as it enters your home. However, when left uncleaned for months, it can get clogged with dust and dirt, affecting its performance. With dirty filters, your air conditioner will be forced to work harder to keep your indoors cool and comfortable. The Department of Energy recommends replacing dirty filters with new, clean ones to reduce your AC’s energy consumption by 5 percent to 15 percent.

Clear the area around the unit

The area around your air conditioner should remain clean at all times.  Avoid storing items around the indoor unit as it can pose a fire hazard. Your outdoor unit should be likewise free from any obstructions. Tree branches, leaves, and other yard debris can collect around your outdoor unit, restricting the flow of air to your AC system. Industry experts say maintaining at least one foot of clearance on all sides of your air conditioner reduces the risk of appliance overheating and breakdown.

Invest in a professional AC upgrade

If you are hoping to optimize your air conditioning system to help with allergy relief, you should partner with a reputable HVAC company in your area. For increased filtration efficiency, the pros may upgrade your system to operate with HEPA filtration. HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, this type of filter can remove at least 99.97% of harmful pollutants in the air. Early spring is the perfect time to schedule your AC repair and maintenance. What are you waiting for? Hire a licensed and skilled team to service your air conditioner. Get free consultations and estimates when you talk to the pros today!

Original source: https://dellacooks.com/how-to-get-through-the-allergy-season-4-home-air-conditioning-tips/