Why Does Air Conditioning Make Me Cough?
When you switch on your air conditioner, do you notice that you immediately begin coughing? Alternatively, does your air conditioner appear to exacerbate your chronic cough? Consultation with a medical professional is always recommended. In addition, we understand what may be wrong with your air conditioner and why it is impacting you. All you need to know is below.
When the air conditioner is running normally, why do you have a cough?
Regular air conditioning operation has been linked to a cough. When used to chill the air, air conditioners remove moisture from the atmosphere. This is often a good thing since some individuals find it difficult to breathe in the very humid circumstances that commonly accompany summer. Nonetheless, a dry cough may develop if humidity levels are deficient or you are more susceptible to low humidity than the average person.
Decreased humidity may exacerbate symptoms of asthma, COPD, and other respiratory diseases. Talk to your doctor if you want to learn more about managing your symptoms. You might benefit from a slightly (but not excessively) higher indoor humidity. Humidity levels in the house should be between 30 and 50 percent. An in-home humidifier will provide you with the most flexibility in terms of temperature and humidity management and will let you forget about that annoying AC cough for good. This is the best action if you experience discomfort from the dry air produced by an air conditioner during the warmer months.
How Air Filters of AC Unit Is Reason Behind Cough?
Your air conditioner may also cause coughing if it recirculates particles or has mold or bacteria developing in the filter. Dust, grime, pet hair, allergies, germs, mold spores, and more may accumulate in air conditioners that haven’t been updated on time. It’s possible that they’ll start re-releasing this dust into the atmosphere rather than eliminating it.
In addition, mold and bacteria may flourish in air conditioners whose filters are too whole. Coughing and a decrease in air quality are also possible consequences. Changing the filter on your air conditioner is the only solution. At your yearly visit for maintenance, your HVAC expert will be able to take care of this for you. Another option is to ask them how frequently you should replace it this summer.
Reasons for Coughing Due to AC Unit
1. Dry Frigid Air
There are numerous potential origins of a hacking cough. This essay is not meant to serve as medical advice but may help you figure out what’s causing your cough. There might be a few variables affecting your air conditioner’s performance. Dry, frigid air is a big factor.
Most air conditioning units also dehumidify the air as they chill it, thus they might contribute to a chronic dry cough. Some patients develop a condition known as cough-variant asthma when they are exposed to cold air.
2. Humidity
Cough-variant asthma may strike even in the absence of other asthma symptoms or other types of the disease. Humidity may be at blame if your cough has turned into congestion and less throat discomfort. The delicate equilibrium your air conditioner maintains in your house is directly related to your health.
3. Local climate
There is no “magic number” for the thermostat that can entirely prevent your cold air cough, although raising the temperature a little will assist. Dry air from the air conditioner might irritate your throat and lungs, especially if you use it often.
As a result, you may relieve your cough by increasing the temperature to a point where you are still comfortable, but the air conditioner is operating less. Typically, this is between 72 and 75 degrees. Moving to a different room where the air conditioning is not blowing directly on you is another option. It may assist a tiny bit if you close the vents in your room.
4. Pollens of Dust From AC filters
Remember that allergens like pollen, mold, and dust might be contributing to your cough. Keeping up with your air conditioner’s maintenance and replacing its filters regularly will keep harmful particles from entering your house and lungs. Peace of mind and fresh air come from a well-maintained air conditioning system with clean filters and ducts.
5. Decreased Temperature
When the temperature decreases after sunset, many individuals start coughing, making this ideal to run at night. Using a humidifier in your bedroom may help you obtain a restful night’s sleep without being disturbed by coughing fits caused by factors other than viruses.
Of course, if you’re having trouble deciding which system is best for your house, you should hire a professional AC installation service. They will be able to examine your body and identify any potential problem areas.
A higher-quality HEPA filter is a good investment for those who have breathing difficulties or a history of respiratory disease. Chronic patients may also benefit significantly from whole-house air filters and cleaners that improve the efficacy of a standard furnace filter.
6. Leaking air conditioners
The air conditioners might cause the leak. They are designed to collect rainwater from the atmosphere and send it down a pipe. But issues like leaks and obstructions might cause that water to flow back into your house. This water pool might be hazardous to your health if it promotes mold development or germs. It may also cause indoor humidity to rise. Your hacking cough may have dual causes. If there is dampness near your air conditioner, you should check it out. A qualified HVAC technician may fix any leaks you notice.
7. Dirty Air Filter
However, filters are so effective at what they do that they will capture most of the harmful particles and prevent them from reentering your environment. A buildup of debris over time may prevent them from functioning correctly or, even worse, cause them to begin expelling the captured particles back into your house. This can cause coughing problems.
Ways to Reduce Cough By AC Units
Check Air Filters
Keeping an eye on your air filters should solve the issue. If you have pets who shed hair, you should inspect them more often than every six weeks throughout the summer. Clogged filters may be cleaned or replaced (depending on the model; instructions can be found in the owner’s handbook).
A whole-house air filtration system is another option for those who want cleaner air in their homes. These supplementary systems work in tandem with your AC filters to eliminate allergies and microbial growth in your house by catching even the tiniest airborne particles.
Work on the Temperature
The last thing you want to do if you discover that your air conditioner is causing you to cough is to turn it off and get overheated. After exhausting the aforementioned options, you should seek a way to get ahead of cough due to AC units.
There is no “magic number” for the thermostat that can entirely prevent your cold air cough, although raising the temperature a little will assist. Dry air from the air conditioner might irritate your throat and lungs, mainly if you use it often.
As a result, you may relieve your cough by increasing the temperature to a point where you are still comfortable, but the air conditioner is operating less. Typically, this is between 72 and 75 degrees. Moving to a different room where the air conditioning is not blowing directly on you is another option. It may assist a tiny bit if you close the vents in your room.
Remember that allergens like pollen, mold, and dust might contribute to your cough. Keeping up with your air conditioner’s maintenance and replacing its filters regularly will keep harmful particles from entering your house and lungs. Peace of mind and fresh air come from a well-maintained air conditioning system with clean filters and ducts.
Humidifiers Are Very Useful
Humidifiers, for unfamiliar people, are machines that spray water vapor into the air. You may find them at any number of appliance specialty shops or on the internet.
Humidifiers allow you to maintain your ideal thermostat setting while preventing dry air from settling into your home. Coughs aggravated by dry, chilly air frequently improve with this.
When the temperature decreases after sunset, many individuals start coughing, making this ideal to run at night. Using a humidifier in your bedroom may help you obtain a restful night’s sleep without being disturbed by coughing fits caused by factors other than viruses.
Of course, if you’re having trouble deciding which system is best for your house, you should hire a professional AC installation service. They can examine your body and identify any potential problem areas.
Call the Professionals for the Best Help!
Your air conditioner is no different from any other equipment in that it has its own set of constraints. For one, you shouldn’t use it if the temperature outside is below 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Stick to the manufacturer’s instructions if you want your equipment to last as long as possible with little maintenance. In this manner, you can be sure that your air conditioner will be in good working order the next time you need it.
It is best to connect with the Smile HVAC professionals if you are seeking the best help to avoid cough due to AC units.
