Myth or Truth? Can Air Conditioning Cause Allergies?

Suffering from a lack of good indoor air quality? Call Gladiator services at 201-512-8972!

Although your air conditioner is one of the most essential features of your home, it can face problems that might be frustrating. Sometimes units fail to blow air at the correct temperatures, or a vent stops running altogether. Often more frustrating, though, is an increase in allergies that many homeowners associate with their air conditioner.

This begs the question: can air conditioning cause allergies? 

The short answer is that this is nothing more than a myth caused by a misunderstanding of the factors at play. However, a quick examination of the different ways air conditioning units might exacerbate allergies does illuminate the truth behind this myth. 

If you notice an increase in your allergies and believe your air conditioning is to blame, call a Mahwah air conditioning repair contractor like Gladiator Services.

Symptoms of Air Contamination

While an increase in your allergy symptoms will likely be noticeable and obvious, other signs are specifically associated with air contamination. Knowing these symptoms will help you promptly identify and address issues with your AC.

Symptoms of air contamination include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Fever
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Digestive issues
• Watery eyes

Reasons Why Air Conditioning Might Increase Allergies

If you experience any of the symptoms above, it could indicate an air contamination issue. Although many believe this might be an issue with the AC unit, this is a misconception. 

AC units circulate the same air throughout your home. When a pollutant or contaminant invades your air ducts, it circulates continuously and can cause an allergic reaction. Although this could seem like an issue with your unit, it's merely a problem with a rogue contaminant.

Identifying which contaminant is to blame is a job for HVAC professionals. Nevertheless, knowing the common air invaders can help diagnose the issue sooner.

Mold and Mildew

When your home has an undiscovered leak or your attic is secretly rotting, mold and mildew can run rampant. These fungal growths are common in homes with water damage or humid environments and significantly decrease air quality. 

While they might remain unseen, the ductwork that guides air through your home could unknowingly introduce fungal spores into various rooms in your house. Spores from mold and mildew are highly triggering for allergies.

Pet Dander

Pet dander is essentially like dandruff for your furry friends. When your dog or cat sheds, bacteria and proteins on their fur circulate in air conditioning systems. As pet dander distributes throughout your home, it's likely to cause allergic reactions or contamination symptoms.

Try remedying this issue by washing your pets frequently. If a good bath doesn't suffice, you might need to explore allergy shots or better grooming for your animal.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are unfortunate pests that thrive in AC systems' dark, damp environments. Since dust mites can quickly reproduce in your HVAC system unnoticed, they can soon become a problem. As their numbers grow, they can spread throughout your home and irritate allergies and skin.

Bacteria and Viruses

We all know that bacteria are everywhere and, in many cases, are a vital part of the environment. However, bacteria or viruses, typically chauffeured into your home by your family or you, can take up residence in your AC unit and make the whole family sick. To limit this spread, try to keep sick family members confined to one or a few rooms in your home.

Pollen

Are you still wondering, "Can air conditioning cause allergies?" We may have busted this myth, but there's one tall tale that's not so fictitious: the allergy arch nemesis pollen.

Anyone struggling with their allergies knows that spring blooms will likely introduce more pollen into the air and exacerbate their allergies. Unfortunately, this pollen can easily invade your home, circulate in your AC, and become an annoying contributor to allergic reactions.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

One of the more frightening air pollutants is volatile organic compounds. These particles come from artificial chemicals most commonly featured in household cleaning supplies.

Take care when cleaning vents or AC units, as a generic cleaning product might not be fair game for these cleaning processes. Using the right decontaminants will ensure that your AC system remains clean but safe.

Cold Urticaria

Cold urticaria is perhaps the closest thing to an actual "air conditioner allergy." This condition is a rare reaction to the cold air that comes out of AC units. When cold urticaria occurs, your skin will break out in hives minutes upon interacting with cold air from an AC system.

Best Ways to Address Indoor Air Pollutants

Now that you understand how air pollutants can escalate problems like allergies, it's good to know that there are also many solutions to these problems.

Clean Your Unit and Spaces

Sometimes the best solution to air contamination issues is an excellent clean. Remember that dust, pollen, and bacteria can all enter your unit frequently if the area surrounding is not kept clean. Give indoor and outdoor vents and nearby spaces a good scrub down to help alleviate air contamination.

Replace Filters

Replacing your AC filters is one of the best ways to resolve problems with contaminated air. Maintaining clean filters is critical because air filters are the primary defense between contaminants and your home.

Address Mold Quickly

Call an HVAC professional immediately if you notice any mold growth signs in your home. Mold and mildew can worsen if left unaddressed, so get your home checked today if you suspect mold.

Call Gladiator Services

One of the best ways to ensure that your AC system remains in optimal condition throughout the year is to call a trusted, professional HVAC and plumbing company like Gladiator Services. Our experienced technicians can perform preventative maintenance on your system to protect it from contamination.

Treating Indoor Air Pollutants with Gladiator Services

If you're still wondering, "Can air conditioning cause allergies?" or want to know the reasons why regular condenser coil cleaning is important, contact Gladiator Services. Call (201) 512-8972 to schedule your consultation today or learn more about our services.