Your air conditioner can help with fall allergies

Fall can be the worst time of year for people with allergies. When the cooler weather arrives, and the leaves start to change, weeds and other plants release pollen in the air and mold can breed under the fallen leaves. This can trigger fall allergies for some 40 million Americans, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. There are some great tips to help allergy sufferers this fall season and one of them is to use your Burlington air conditioner, especially at night. It’s important to keep your bedroom clean and free of allergens to reduce symptoms. To keep your AC running at peak efficiency and providing clean and cool air, Alamance Oil has qualified technicians to examine your unit for repairs, or evaluate its current condition to see if a replacement is needed. The fall is also a great time to replace your air conditioning system with a newer, high-efficiency model as prices are the best for purchasing new HVAC systems in the fall and winter.

Fall Allergy Symptoms Can Be Soothed by Running Your AC System

One way to help keep allergens from circulating in your home is to change your air filter often. A clean air filter will not only help your AC system work better, but it will also do a better job of filtering the pollen, dust, and even mold spores that can enter your home. Your Burlington air conditioner’s air filter plays a crucial role in helping decrease allergy symptoms this fall. Here are a few other tips for surviving the fall allergy season in the South provided by www.everydayhealth.com:

Buy a dehumidifier. You may have heard that humidifiers can help with breathing, but dehumidifiers may actually be better if you are sensitive to dust or mold. “Dust mites and molds flourish in a humid environment,” says Frederick M. Schaffer, MD, clinical associate professor of allergy and immunology at the Medical University of South Carolina. Use a dehumidifier to help reduce your indoor allergy symptoms.

Stay clean. One of the best ways to minimize your allergen exposure is to wash pollens off your skin and your hair as soon as possible after spending time outside, says Dr. Schaffer. You should also change shoes before entering the house and change clothes inside the front doorway to reduce the amount of pollen and other allergens you may be bringing into the house.

Check pollen levels. If your area is designated a high pollen zone, it’s best to avoid going outdoors. Keep your activities inside for a few days instead, if possible, to minimize your exposure to allergens during those days.

Avoid hanging clothes outdoors to dry. Laundry is a magnet for pollen that will eventually end up indoors and on you, via clothing and bedding, says Schaffer.

Buy hypoallergenic filters. “Change air conditioner filters monthly, using HEPA filters,” Schaffer says. “Place the used filter in a plastic garbage bag, then dispose of the filter outdoors. This will limit accidental ‘pollen spills’ indoors.”

Use an air conditioner at night. It’s where you spend eight or more hours each night, so it’s critical to keep your bedroom clean and pollen-free to avoid allergies. Close the windows and keep the air conditioning on, Randhawa says. “Consider installing a HEPA filter system, especially during high season, so that you’re breathing in better purified air while you sleep.”

Stay one step ahead of the allergy season by being prepared with a dependable air conditioning system. By maintaining the right humidity level and providing excellent indoor air quality, your AC system works hard; even in the early fall months, when temperatures are still in the 70s and 80s in the Southeast. For maintenance, repairs, and AC installation in Burlington, contact Alamance Oil at 336-226-9371.

(Source: 8 Tips for Fall Allergy Relief, everydayhealth.com, 2015)