Why Air Conditioner is Causing Cough
Most people don’t realize why air conditioner is causing cough. So let’s look at possible causes of your cough and how your air conditioning contributes to that.
Are You Suffering From Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis?
If so, you may be experiencing a lung disease that causes your air conditioner to make you cough. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis causes inflammation of the lungs. It is an allergic reaction triggered by breathing in dust and pollen. The symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.
Your air conditioning system can cause this if there is a leak in the ductwork. When the air conditioner blows cold air into the house, it enters through these leaks and mixes with dust particles in your home. This can cause an allergic reaction that leads to hypersensitivity pneumonitis symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath.
How Can You Stop Coughing When Your Air Conditioner Is On?
Air conditioners commonly cause coughing, especially if they’re old or dirty. If you’re feeling a tickle in your throat, try to turn down the temperature setting on your thermostat. If that doesn’t help, try cleaning out the dust from around the vents.
This is easy to do with a duster or vacuum cleaner. Before cleaning, unplug the AC cord, so you don’t accidentally electrocute yourself! You could also consider getting an air purifier. This will help reduce allergens and irritants in your home that could be causing your cough.
1. Regularly Service Your Air Conditioner
Air conditioners are complicated machines that need regular servicing to keep them running smoothly and efficiently. If you don’t perform AC services regularly, you could be at risk for health problems like asthma or, even worse: COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). That’s right—not servicing your AC unit regularly can make you sick!
2. Check the Air Filter
It’s easy to forget about the air filter in your air conditioner. After all, it’s not like you need to change it regularly. But if you don’t check it regularly and replace it when necessary, you will start coughing every time your air conditioner is on.
Air filters are designed to keep dust and other particles out of your home so that they don’t get into the air you breathe. However, if the filter isn’t working properly and there are too many particles in the air, you might start coughing. If this happens regularly—especially during the summer when everyone is using their air conditioners more—it could be a sign that your filter needs replacing.
3. Consult Your Physician if Coughing Persists
If you’ve been coughing too long and it’s not going away, it’s time to consult your physician. Coughing can signify many things, including infections, allergies, asthma, and even something more serious. While most coughs are short-lived, get it checked right away if yours persists for long.
Conclusion
Try implementing these tips to stop coughing before turning on your air conditioner this summer. No one wants to be stuck in a stuffy house, covered in sweat and coughing. The simplest way to avoid that is to take preventative measures before turning on the HVAC system.
By eliminating allergens in your home, washing and drying sheets regularly, and keeping windows opened during the day when possible, you can guarantee all the air inside the house will be fresh. Another convenient way to do this is using air purifiers for dust mites. Not only will you see an improvement in your symptoms, but it will also help you breathe easier.
