Can a Dirty Air Filter Cause Sinus Infection?

The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) has found that a dirty air filter can be the cause of sinus infection. Studies have shown that indoor air pollution caused by a clogged filter can trigger allergic reactions and sinus congestion in people who are sensitive to animals, pollen, and mold. Your air conditioner has an air filter that collects dust, pollen, and other debris. If you have pets, this filter will also collect their hair.

When the filter is clogged, it won't be as effective at trapping these particles from the air. Instead, your air conditioning unit may circulate them around your home, making your allergies worse. Air conditioning system filters do a great job of trapping dust and other particles in the air that can irritate the sinuses. However, if you don't change or clean the filter regularly, trapped particles can return to the air you breathe.

If an air filter becomes clogged, poor circulation will occur. This could cause unwanted moisture to stick around and cause mold, which is a pain to remove and can lead to long-term health complications. If you have a dirty air filter, mold, or bacteria in your home, this may have contributed to sinus problems. Usually, when the air conditioner recycles the air in your home, the air that enters your home through the ducts is normally returned to the filter.

The filter filters the air, cools it, and blows it back to your home. If all of these pollutants are recycled, the air conditioner can make you sick and wreak havoc on your sinuses. One of the purposes of an air filter is to filter out all microscopic particles such as dust, pollen, pet dander, bacteria, plant spores and mold, and even smoke. On the one hand, air conditioning can be a real lifesaver when it comes to breathing air that isn't full of external pollutants or allergens.

But if you don't clean the air conditioner filter often enough, it can cause sinus congestion. When an air filter becomes too congested during the summer cooling season, it can cause a lack of airflow to the evaporator or cooling coils. This makes it difficult for the air conditioning unit to remove heat from the air and cool your home. An overloaded air blower can fail completely, causing the entire system to fail and costing you thousands of dollars for repair or replacement. HVAC air filters work in partnership with your home's heating and cooling system to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. Changing your air filter and relying on experts like Lindstrom Air Conditioning & Plumbing to clean your air ducts are some of the simplest things you can do to improve air quality.