Good question. Here’s the answer: your air-conditioner not only regulates the temperature of your air indoors, but it also filters out allergens like dust and pollen, and in doing so, cleans it. It also limits the humidity levels, which might contribute to mold and mite growth.
So, air conditioning not only makes your indoor air more comfortable but also safer. But there’s a catch. If your air conditioner is poorly maintained, it can lead to allergies instead of providing relief from them.
And that brings us back to why poor air-conditioning might be the culprit if you’re suffering from seasonal airborne allergies.
Spent filters
When you don’t change your air filter regularly, it can collect dust, crawling critters, pollen and all kinds of irritants, which will be circulated back into the air you breathe – ergo, allergies. But that’s not the only pitfall of a filthy filter. It can turn your air conditioner into a power hog because a dirty filter will make it put in extra work to circulate the air – sometimes as much as 15% extra. And that’ll show up in your electric bill.
Unclean ducts
An air conditioner with ducts and vents can serve as a hospitable home for mold growth and mites. If you don’t clean them properly, mold and mites can find their way into your body (yuck!).
Leaks
If your air conditioner isn’t air-tight or has holes, it can mean the air you’re breathing hasn’t been filtered for irritants. How can it be filtered? If there is a leak in the system, some of the circulating air will never get to the filter.
Here’s how you can avoid these problems with proper maintenance.
Regularly change the filter
Start by swapping out your spent air filter for a new one. Not only will it help keep your indoor air allergen-free, but it also makes your unit more energy efficient, which means some extra cash in your wallet.
HEPA filters aren’t exactly cheap, but they’re hands down the best air filters out there. If you’d rather not spend that much, there are more economical options available as well. Ideally, you should change your filter every three months.
Clean the ducts
To eliminate or at least curtail the mold and mites thriving your registers, vents, and ducts, clean them. Or hire professionals to do it for you. Ambrose Air, Inc is only a call away!
If you choose to do it yourself, you can clean it with your vacuum cleaner and a wet rag.
Plug the leaks
Ensure there aren’t any leaks in the unit and it’s completely air-tight. If there are leaks, however, it’s nothing a little duct tape can’t fix.
Clean the coils
Have an air-conditioner technician clean the air-conditioner coils at least once a year because there might be mold growing inside.