If you suffer from hay fever, you know how horrid it can when even if you decide to go indoors to cool-down, yet still end up suffering from itchy eyes and a throat that feels like it’s lined with sawdust.
Although allergens like Ragweed don’t typically carry too large an allergy threat during the summer – tree and grass pollen do, something that The Lakelands residents are probably all too aware of.
In fact, in 2016 tree and grass pollen were often rated ‘very high’ by most major weather forecasters for The Lakelands area.
One of the primary culprits of indoor allergen exposure that often gets ignored is your air conditioner. Your air conditioner can be your best friend during the summer, but it can also be your worst enemy.
How? You ask. How can the only thing that really save me during the hot, sticky summer months become my enemy?
It comes down to poor air conditioner maintenance. During the allergy, high season (between April and August), you should be performing monthly checks on: the air filters, air condenser and outdoor section of the unit. If you are unsure how to do this, you realistically have two options.
Firstly, call a professional. There are several aesthetic and technical signs that you might miss, (yes, even after watching a YouTube video) so it is best to let a pro do this.
Secondly, if your air conditioner is 7 years old or older, it might be worth a trip down to your local wholesale air conditioner store to finally invest in that AC replacement you’ve been putting off.
Beyond the obvious health benefits, there are wealth benefits too. The average electricity residential rates in The Lakelands 23.92% greater than the national average monthly consumption. However, a clogged up, poorly maintained or old air conditioning unit will need to work harder to produce a sufficient air flow. This can cause overheating and increase your electrical costs. So, if you’re going to use your air conditioner more often, or for longer than might be necessary, then your bills are going to increase.
So, keep a good air conditioner maintenance schedule. By properly maintaining your air conditioner, you decrease the chance of nasty allergens and pollutants entering your home. Furthermore, with proper maintenance, you can avoid spending loads on AC replacement, and even save on those potentially costly maintenance bills.