Allergies can make doing the simplest tasks unbearable. Sure, over the counter meds may help ease certain symptoms, but many leave you feeling sleepy, groggy, and in a fog – not much of a tradeoff, is it??

Whether your allergy trigger is pollen, dust, dogs, cats, or other airborne allergens, your central air conditioning system along with a few other clever tips and tricks can help you get the relief you need. Follow these strategies to reduce or even eliminate the coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, and hay fever allergy season brings along.

Keep the Windows Closed

There’s nothing like the feeling of a cool breeze from an open window – unless you’re an allergy sufferer. If your allergy triggers exist outdoors, keep windows and doors closed during peak season. Also, remove shoes upon entering your home and ask visitors to do the same; all sorts of pollutants enjoy hitching a ride on the soles of our shoes.

Consider Adding an Air Purifier

When you consider all the airborne contaminants capable of making your life miserable during allergy season, what’s stopping you from having a whole-house air purifier installed? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside your home can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Installing a whole-house air purifier as an add-on to your central air system can significantly reduce your exposure to common allergens such as pollen, pet dander, household pollutants, and more.

Keep Relative Humidity Between 30 and 50 Percent

High indoor humidity presents a variety of problems including fostering mold and mildew growth, damage to wood furnishings, and can cause you to lose sleep – literally. The good news is that your AC system can help. You see, part of its job is to remove excess moisture from the air, thereby making you feel cooler and more comfortable without reducing the thermostat setting. However, the older your system gets, the less effective it becomes at removing excess humidity. What can you do? Well, a portable dehumidifier can remove excess moisture one room at a time, while a whole-house dehumidifier can restore full comfort everywhere your AC system reaches.

Have Air Ducts Cleaned

Dirt, dust, mold, and other particles can accumulate inside your air ducts over time. As conditioned air passes through the ducts, it pushes those pollutants into your living space where it impacts the air quality and triggers allergy and asthma symptoms. If you’ve never had your air ducts cleaned, or can’t remember the last time, contact a reputable duct cleaning service to ensure the job is done to the highest of standards.

Replace An Aging Cooling System

As we said, you can compensate for an AC system’s declining ability to remove excess humidity from your home, or you can go straight to the inevitable remedy – replace your AC system for overall improved comfort. If your system is at least 10 years old, a replacement also will deliver reduced energy bills and years of trouble-free performance.

Contact C&D Cooling & Heating today for more information and a free new system quote.