How do all these contaminants find their way into my breathing space?
Humidity is possibly the most prevalent promoter of your HVAC system developing contaminants. This begs the question – Why do I have excess humidity on my home? You might have an oversized air conditioner. If your air conditioner is too powerful, it will cycle on and off more frequently and not stay on long enough to remove humidity from the air. High humidity can also be caused by inadequate ventilation. A qualified HVAC installer can correct this problem by re-routing ductwork or adding makeup air.
You may have neglected maintenance, which could mean your equipment is operating inefficiently. When your system’s evaporator and condenser coils are dirty, it could interfere with the transfer of heat, which will result in inefficiency and a struggle to remove humidity from the air. Coil cleaning and other preventative maintenance work is part of most service contracts with HVAC professionals. Investing in an air conditioning tune up, could help stop an air conditioner allergy problem before it starts.
Air conditioner allergy prevention tactics
We cannot stressed enough that installing the proper filters and replacing them on a timely basis is a key component of combatting an air conditioner allergy problem. If you’re like most people, you probably think that your system’s air filter should be adequate to ward off an air conditioner allergy. The intended purpose of the filter is to keep dust off your air conditioning equipment to maintain efficient operation.
While ordinary paper filters help remove dust from the air, there are better choices to remove the miniscule particles that are the cause for an air conditioner allergy. HEPA (High Energy Particulate Air Filters) are designed to trap smaller particles such as bacteria, mold and smaller strains of pollen. HEPA filters consist of densely packed glass fiber layers as opposed to paper and the top ones can block about 99% of those particles responsible for your air conditioner allergy.
While installing a HEPA filter will go a long way to solving your air conditioner allergy problem, it is important to select a high quality one. HEPA filters are rated for their efficiency in catching different size particles. The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) range is from 1-12. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at trapping the smallest of particles. Look for a MERV rating of 10 or above.
While selecting an efficient HEPA filter is half the battle, you should not neglect to change the filters regularly and more frequently during allergy season. You should change the filters at least every other month and more often if you live in a thriving metropolis for allergens. Choosing the right filter and changing it is critical, but cleaning and maintaining the entire system is also essential.
Avoid an air conditioner allergy: Don’t duck cleaning ductwork
If your air conditioning system is not operating properly or if you have an inefficient filter, different allergens including pollen, mold and mildew can make their way to your ductwork where they accumulate and are circulated throughout your home or throughout the building you manage. Not only will duct cleaning improve your air quality, but will also improve the efficiency of your air conditioning system.
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