Could Your Air Filter Be Making You Sick?
It’s that time of year again. The seasons are changing and so are your allergies.
You might have noticed some itchy eyes, coughing, or sneezing. It’s easy to blame allergy-like symptoms on seasonal changes, but there’s another factor that a lot of people don’t consider.
When seasons change, so do our air conditioner needs. The weather is starting to cool so you switch on the heater at night.
But, have you considered that your air filter might be what’s making you sick and not allergies?
Keep reading to see if your air filter could be what’s making you sick.
Signs and Symptoms Your Air Filter is Making You Sick
There are so many different ways that your air conditioning unit could be making you sick. Between mold and bacteria growth, excessive dust and dander, and high humidity, you could have a wide variety of symptoms.
It’s important to understand what’s causing your symptoms so that you can properly treat it.
These are some common symptoms of growing mold spores:
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Coughing or wheezing
- Eye Irritation
Different types of mold can grow in your home. If your air filter is not properly cleaned and replaced, humidity can build up and contribute to faster growth of mold spores. If you suspect mold is growing in your home, it’s best to call in the professionals as soon as possible.
While the symptoms are sometimes only frustrating, mold can quickly become deadly.
These are some common symptoms of bacteria growth:
- Ear infection
- Strep throat
- Sinus infections
Basically any kind of minor infection can be caused by bacterial overgrowth. Bacteria can cause more serious infections in those of young children, the elderly, or any person with a weakened immune system.
These are some common symptoms of excessive dust and dander build up in the air filter:
- Itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- Itchy throat
- Congestion
- Coughing
These symptoms are often confused as seasonal allergies or the common cold. Take note of how often you experience the symptoms, whether your air conditioner is turned on or not, and how long the symptoms last.
How Can I Prevent This?
Sometimes the only thing you can do is try to keep up with proper maintenance and replace old units. It’s important to remember that mold, bacteria, dust, and dander are microscopic and can pretty much find their way into your home with ease.
You can keep growth to a minimum by doing things like changing your air filter regularly, having your duct work cleaned out, and keeping humidity levels below 50%.
Upgrade and Maintain Your System
Overall, it’s important to keep up with regular maintenance and upgrade old systems.
Bacteria, dust, mold, and other nasty things that can make you sick tend to find their way in all the cracks and crevices of an air conditioning unit. Simply changing the air filter isn’t always enough to maintain the system.
If you think it might be time for an upgrade, give us a call today for a consultation.