Is My Air Conditioner Making Me Sick?

Increase Your Indoor Air Quality

As Texans, we all know the importance of air conditioning in our homes. During the sweltering summer months, AC can feel more valuable than gold! But when you turn on your AC unit and that cool blast of relief hits your skin, what else is coming out of your vents? Some homeowners have experienced reactions like sneezing or watery eyes when their AC first turns on, and others have felt more serious side effects. Is it possible for your AC to make you sick?

Service Wizard is here to help. While the AC system itself is a collection of metal parts and can’t actually make you sick itself, the air that’s pushed around in your home and vents certainly can. We care about your indoor air quality, and we want you to be informed about what’s in your air!

What Is Polluting My Air At Home?

Air is naturally supposed to carry tiny particles and contaminants – our lungs are even designed to handle trace amounts of dust and particles! The problem arises when the filtration system in your AC can’t handle the amount or type of air contaminants, or the contaminants don’t make it to the filtration system in the first place. The following are some of the most common air pollutants in your home.

• Dust
• Dirt
• Pet Dander 
• Hair
• Pollen
• Viruses
• Bacteria
• Mold Spores
• Moisture 

All of these pollutants are found naturally in your day-to-day household, but prolonged exposure to high levels of any of them can cause inconvenient side effects. It’s even more dangerous in homes with people who have sensitive respiratory conditions like asthma.

What Side Effects Can Air Pollution Cause?

There are a number of reactions to allergens and biological contaminants that may be minor in nature – such as sneezing. However, it’s important to know that minor reactions can turn serious. Here are some of the symptoms you may experience in a reaction to air contaminants.

• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness or headaches
• Dry skin and nose
• Cold symptoms
• Asthma attack

How Do I Avoid Air Contaminant Side Effects?

There are several things you can do to reduce the air pollution in your home and get better indoor air quality.

• Replace Your AC Filters – One of the best ways to make your air cleaner is to regularly check and clean the air filter in your AC system. When the filters become coated with enough air debris they have a hard time filtering out those contaminants.
• Clean Carpets and Rugs – Keeping carpets and rugs clean lowers the air contaminants – especially if you have pets. Dirt, dust and dander have a way of clinging to the material on the floor and releasing it into the air at later times.
• Kitchen Vents – When you’re cooking, make sure the vents in your kitchen are on. They suck moisture straight out of the home and prevent bacteria or mold from growing inside your AC system. 

Need Professional Air Quality Services?

If your tactics to reduce air pollution just aren’t working well enough for your home and family, count on professional HVAC specialists like Service Wizard. We can perform a comprehensive IAQ test in your home to pinpoint what particles are prevalent, then we can find the best solution for your home. Contact us to help you breathe easier in no time!