How Does Air Conditioning Affect Your Sinuses?

Nothing is more refreshing during hot, muggy weather than relaxing in an air-conditioned home with a cool drink. Here in Florida, we definitely love our AC systems, and just like our cars and our homes, they require quite a bit of upkeep. Occasional repairs and regular maintenance are the norms, plus investments like dehumidifiers to maintain low humidity. Another obstacle in the quest for home comfort is the effect your air conditioning has on your sinuses.

For some people, air conditioning can cause sinus pain and pressure, as well as other symptoms like congestion, runny nose, and headaches. This is often due to the fact that air conditioning can dry out the air, which can irritate the sinuses. Additionally, some people may be allergic to mold or mildew that can grow on air conditioning coils, and this can lead to sinus infections or other maladies.

If you suffer from these kinds of symptoms when using your AC system, there are a few things you can try to avoid. First, consider investing in a dehumidifier to keep the air in your home dry and comfortable. You should also make sure to have your AC coils cleaned regularly, as well as ensure there is adequate ventilation in the room when it is on and that regular maintenance checks are performed by a professional technician.

How Does Air Conditioning Affect My Sinuses?

The truth is: that AC units can, unfortunately, cause sinus problems. From running noses to sniffling and sneezing, outdoor allergies or the common cold aren’t the only causes of these symptoms. Luckily, sinus problems caused by air conditioners are usually pretty minor.

However, without the proper care, these sinus problems or allergies may unnecessarily last for many years to come. In order to find the best plan of action for your sinus issues, it’s important to first find the source: once you understand the cause of your runny nose or watering eyes, you can plan for a solution. Do consider that problems vary from person to person. Some individuals have extreme sinus problems while others might not have any at all. Keep that in mind as we cover the most common causes of indoor sinus issues.

Dry Air

Dry air is one of the leading causes of sinus problems worldwide. When we breathe in dry air, our mucus and saliva can’t do their jobs properly. Our bodies were designed to function at a certain moisture level, and once these levels are low, your sinuses might start to flare up. When our mucus isn’t flowing properly throughout our bodies, we may experience a stuffy nose, congestion, sinus pain, or headaches.

Dry air can also irritate our throats and make us more susceptible to colds and other respiratory illnesses. In fact, studies have shown that dry air can actually increase the number of viruses in the air! So if you’re looking for ways to avoid getting sick this winter, one of the best things you can do is keep your home at a comfortable humidity level.

While the majority of us dislike high humidity, extremely low humidity can be just as bad. So while our air conditioners are designed to take humidity out of the air, sometimes they do the job too well. To help fix the dilemma, installing a humidifier to add moisture to the air is a great solution. Not only will you be more comfortable, but you can also experience healthier skin and fewer sinus problems.

If your home or office is too dry, a humidifier can add much-needed moisture to the air. By doing so, you can restore comfort levels and improve your overall health. Dry air can cause numerous problems, including:

• Dry skin
• Static electricity
• Cracked lips
• Nosebleeds
• Irritation of the eyes, throat, and nose
• Stuffy noses (when combined with colds)
• Coughing or sore throats

Cold Air

Just like dry air, cold air can also have a negative effect on our sinuses. Think of it this way: when you walk outside on a cool winter day, you might get a runny nose or sinus congestion. Our indoor climate works the same way. As the air cools, our bodies aren’t fully ready for the change. Similar to how most people get sick during the winter months, our bodies are more prone to sickness when we’re cold indoors too.

Cold air triggers nervous system reflexes found in the nose that causes the buildup of mucus. It’s common for these symptoms to last temporarily because once our bodies acclimate to the changing weather, our sinus system should catch up quickly and adjust appropriately. If the cold indoor air is starting to really affect your sinuses, try turning up the temperature. Sometimes even a few degrees can make a huge difference.

This is why it’s important to keep our indoor spaces warm during the winter months. Not only will this help reduce the likelihood of getting sick, but it will also help improve our overall sinus health. When our sinuses are healthy, we’re less likely to experience the negative effects of cold air. So, if you’re someone who struggles with sinus problems during the winter, consider turning up the heat in your home or office. You might just find that it makes a world of difference.

Floating Air Particles

We now know cold or dry air can lead to sinus problems, both other issues can take an even greater toll on our sinuses and overall health. One important factor to consider is the particles floating around in the air itself. These include mold spores, dust, pollen, pollutants, and others. As air is constantly circulated throughout your home, these particles can get trapped in your system.

Your filter does its best to clean out the air, but contaminants still make their way through. If you’re constantly battling with sinus problems, these air particles could be the culprit, and if you have allergies, these particles can affect you even more, with mold spores as a particularly bad offender.

When the air is humid, like it is in a rainy or summer season, mold and spores will be able to grow. This can lead to sinus infections, lung conditions, bronchitis, and even death if not taken care of properly. The solution for this issue is similar to that of dust mites. If you are concerned about your air quality, air purifiers are a great option. They can help remove the particles from the air and make breathing much more comfortable for you.

The easiest way to remedy the situation is to frequently change out your air filters. Especially if someone in the home has allergies and the size of your family, these filters should be replaced every month. Properly cleaning and maintaining your system, including the air ducts, is also an excellent way to limit harmful air particles in your home. For reliable professional maintenance service, reach out to a professional cooling service company. The most aggressive way to fight particulates is to invest in an air purification system. help to keep your air clean, call a reliable HVAC service.

East Coast Mechanical Can Improve Your Indoor Air

Are you battling bad allergies or other sinus problems but you’re not sure where they are coming from? If so, your air conditioning could be the cause. Even a slightly dirty filter can affect those with bad allergies. For expert advice on improving indoor air quality, East Coast Mechanical is here to help!

 

ECM Air Conditioning, with its headquarters located in Boynton Beach, FL, provides air conditioning services within Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, and St. Lucie County. If you’re looking to have a new HVAC system installed, we’re on-call and ready to assist you. So if you’re in need of an HVAC installation, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an inspection! Our HVAC installation experts will check your ductwork, measure, check wire sizes, and more before making recommendations to ensure maximum efficiency and comfort. Call us at 561-295-1763 or contact our HVAC installation team online by clicking here.