How to Keep Your AC Clean During Allergy Season
May 31st, 2022
Allergy season can be the worst time of year for individuals who suffer from bad seasonal allergies. Sometimes it can feel like there is no escape from allergies inside or out. But this isn’t always true. While we can’t offer a cure-all solution for allergies, we can offer tips to keep your home’s air clean.
Your home’s air conditioner can either help or hurt you during allergy season depending on how you manage it. With proper AC maintenance, your system should be able to stay clean and help you breathe easy during allergy season. Here are some of the best tips to keep your AC clean when you need it most.
AC Coil Cleaner or Cleaning Service
Replace Air Filters
The most basic air conditioner maintenance a homeowner can perform is replacing old air filters. HVAC technicians suggest that you change your air filters at least every 90 days. Air filters keep dust and debris from reaching the ducts and the unit itself, protecting your AC system from damage.
What happens when air filters are left unchanged? Foreign particles can reduce efficiency and cause your unit to work harder when cooling your home. Dirty vents make it more difficult for air to circulate freely throughout the living space. Particles inside the unit can potentially cause damage, leading to more significant problems if neglected for too long.
Scheduling routine AC maintenance appointments is another primary step that can keep your unit running efficiently for a long time to come. The best time to schedule a routine check is early in the warm season, or even before the weather heats up. As the summer days go by, HVAC technicians are busier and it’s more difficult to obtain speedy service.
AC Duct Cleaning
Much like clean AC coils, clean air conditioning ducts are highly important. Dirty ducts can restrict air circulation through the house and cause your AC to work harder to reach desired temperatures. And if allergens get into your ducts, they could end up circulating those particles all throughout the house. This is a worst case scenario for allergy sufferers.
Unfortunately, cleaning your ducts can be a bit harder than cleaning other AC components. Due to this, and the importance of clean ducts, scheduling routine AC duct cleaning services can be important. The best time to schedule this type of service is just before the start of the warm season. If your AC has gone unused for several months, it’s very possible that dust particles have settled into your ductwork. Getting this cleaned out before attempting to run your AC for the first time will be better for both efficiency and air quality.
Replace or Upgrade Your Air Filters
The most common AC maintenance tip for all situations is to make sure you’re routinely changing your air filters. The standard recommendation is to replace your filters roughly every 3 months. Your filters protect your AC system from all kinds of harmful dust and small particles. During allergy season, this can include pollen, dander, or any other allergens. Old, worn-out filters will be much less efficient at both protecting your AC and protecting you from allergens.
If you want to upgrade to an even better filter for allergy season, that option is also available to you. HEPA (high-energy particulate air) filters can be installed to better protect against allergens in the air. This effectively gives your AC double duty, also working as a home air purifier. However, these filters can make air circulation more difficult for your unit. It’s best to discuss different air filters with an HVAC professional before deciding to install them.
Run Your Unit Consistently
We have already discussed the importance of duct cleaning early in the season to remove particle build up from inactivity. The same principle applies once your system has been activated for the season. The more consistently you run it, the better the air circulation in your home will be. This prevents dust and allergens from building up inside. While it might mean you need to replace your filters a bit sooner, the trade-off is more than worth it. You will have better air quality and more comfortable temperatures during the worst periods of allergy season.
Perform Routine Inspections
A routine inspection is a hassle-free way you can check on the overall performance and cleanliness of your AC system. For allergy season, you will specifically want to look out for moisture build up and dust or pollen.
Condensation and high moisture build-up around your AC unit can occur. But if left unchecked, this can cause mold or mildew to grow in the area. This is one of the last things any homeowner wants, regardless of whether or not they suffer from allergies. Try to prevent moisture build up around your AC and clean areas consistently. If you find that moisture around your AC is a consistent problem, contact an HVAC technician to inspect the problem. It is possible that excessive condensation is the result of a mechanical problem with your AC.
Dust build-up will always be a natural occurrence in any situation. Cleaning dust around your AC is important, but so too is general house cleaning. The less dust, pollen, or other particles in your house, the less there will be in your air vents. Never overlook the importance of a clean home when it comes to your AC’s efficiency.
Close the Windows When Pollen Count is High
Last–but certainly not least–is a good piece of general advice for allergy sufferers. On days with exceptionally high pollen count, you should keep your home’s windows closed. This is better for both your health and your air conditioner’s health. As we have already covered, pollen in your AC ducts and vents can cause all kinds of problems. These can be avoided by simply keeping the windows closed. If your AC is running properly, you will be more comfortable with the windows closed anyway!
Schedule AC Repairs or Maintenance
You don’t need to wait until your allergies are out of control to schedule an AC service appointment. Whether you need maintenance, repairs, or installation, Island Comfort Air Conditioning can help you. Island Comfort AC serves the islands of Oahu and Kauai, with expert technicians ready to answer all your AC questions.
Island Comfort always provides fast and courteous service to every customer in need. Our technicians work to give you the best solution that you need, and never push for unnecessary upgrades or installations. We have the equipment, knowledge, and experience to install or repair any AC model that your home might have.
Your home comfort is of the utmost importance, and you should not have to wait for it. Contact us today for installation, maintenance, or repair services!