As spring arrives in Adelaide, so does the dreaded pollen season. If you find yourself sneezing, experiencing itchy eyes or struggling with respiratory discomfort during October and November, you are not alone. Spring and summer bring high pollen counts to Adelaide, and for allergy sufferers, this can make spending time at home uncomfortable.

Your air conditioning system plays a surprisingly significant role in managing indoor air quality during allergy season — but it can either help or hurt your symptoms depending on how well it is maintained. Understanding the relationship between your air conditioning and indoor allergens is essential for creating a healthier, more comfortable home environment.

How Air Conditioning Helps Combat Spring Allergies

When properly maintained, your air conditioning system can be one of your best defences against spring allergies. Here is how it helps:

1. Filtering Airborne Allergens

Your air conditioning system continuously circulates air throughout your home, passing it through filters designed to capture airborne particles. These filters trap common allergens, including pollen, dust mites, pet dander and mould spores, before they can circulate through your living spaces.

Modern air conditioning filters can capture particles as small as a few microns, which includes most pollen particles. This means that when your system is running with clean filters, it actively removes allergens from the air you breathe.

2. Creating a Sealed Environment

When you run your air conditioning with windows and doors closed, you create a controlled indoor environment that prevents outdoor pollen from entering your home. This is particularly beneficial during peak pollen times, which in Adelaide typically occur in spring and early summer when grasses flower from October to December.

By keeping your home sealed and relying on your air conditioning for temperature control, you significantly reduce the amount of outdoor allergens that enter your living spaces.

3. Controlling Humidity Levels

Air conditioning systems naturally dehumidify the air as they cool your home. This humidity control is crucial for allergy management because dust mites and mould — two common indoor allergens — thrive in humid conditions. By maintaining optimal humidity levels (typically between 30-50%), your air conditioning creates an environment where these allergens struggle to multiply.

4. Reducing Airborne Irritants

Beyond pollen, your air conditioning system helps filter out other airborne irritants such as smoke, vehicle exhaust particles and other pollutants that can exacerbate allergy symptoms. This is especially important for Adelaide residents living near busy roads or during bushfire season.

How Air Conditioning Can Make Allergies Worse

While air conditioning has the potential to dramatically improve indoor air quality, a poorly maintained system can actually worsen allergy symptoms. Here are the main culprits:

1. Dirty or Clogged Filters

This is the most common problem affecting allergy sufferers. When air filters become clogged with dust, pollen and other particles, they can no longer effectively capture new allergens. Worse still, the accumulated allergens can be blown back into your home every time the system runs.

Clogged filters also restrict airflow, forcing your system to work harder and potentially stirring up dust and debris settled in your ductwork. For allergy sufferers, we recommend inspecting filters monthly during spring and replacing or cleaning them every 1-3 months depending on your system and household conditions.

2. Mould Growth in the System

Air conditioning systems create condensation as they cool air, and this moisture can lead to mould growth if not properly managed. Mould can develop in several areas:

• On dirty filters
• In drain pans that do not drain properly
• Inside ductwork, especially if there are leaks or poor insulation
• On evaporator coils that are not cleaned regularly

Mould spores circulating through your air conditioning system can trigger severe allergic reactions, including respiratory problems, congestion and skin irritation. If you notice musty odours when your system runs, this is a strong indicator of mould growth that requires immediate professional attention.

3. Contaminated Ductwork

Over time, dust, pollen, pet hair and other debris accumulate inside your ductwork. When your air conditioning runs, it can dislodge these particles and distribute them throughout your home. This is particularly problematic if your ducts have never been professionally cleaned or if there are leaks allowing dust from roof spaces or wall cavities to enter the system.

For homes with allergy sufferers, professional duct cleaning every 3-5 years can make a significant difference in air quality and symptom management.

4. Recirculating Stale Air

While a sealed environment prevents outdoor pollen from entering, it can also trap indoor allergens if your air conditioning system is not filtering effectively. Without proper ventilation and filtration, you may simply be recirculating the same allergen-laden air repeatedly.

Best Practices for Using Air Conditioning During Allergy Season

To maximise the benefits of your air conditioning system during Adelaide’s spring allergy season, follow these expert recommendations:

Keep Windows and Doors Closed During High Pollen Times

Pollen counts are typically highest in the early morning and on windy days. During these peak times, keep your home sealed and rely on your air conditioning for comfort. You can check Adelaide’s daily pollen count through services like the Asthma Australia Adelaide Pollen Count to plan accordingly.

Maintain Your Filters Religiously

For allergy sufferers, standard filter maintenance is not enough. Consider upgrading to high-efficiency filters with a higher MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. Filters rated MERV 11-13 can capture smaller particles, including pollen, mould spores and pet dander more effectively than standard filters.

However, check with your HVAC professional before upgrading, as some systems require modifications to handle higher-efficiency filters that restrict airflow more than standard filters.

Schedule Professional Maintenance Before Spring

Do not wait until your allergies flare up to service your system. Book a comprehensive professional service in early spring (August-September) to ensure your system is clean and operating efficiently before peak pollen season arrives.

Clean Vents and Registers Regularly

Dust and allergens accumulate on vents and registers, where they can be blown into your living spaces when your system operates. Clean vents monthly during allergy season using a vacuum with a brush attachment or a damp cloth. This simple task can significantly reduce the amount of allergens circulating in your home.

Monitor and Address Unusual Symptoms

Pay attention to when your allergy symptoms worsen. If you notice symptoms are worse when the air conditioning is running, this is a clear sign that your system requires attention. Common warning signs include:

• Sneezing or coughing that starts soon after the system turns on
• Musty or mouldy odours when the system runs
• Visible dust is being blown from vents
• Increased congestion or respiratory discomfort indoors compared to outdoors

Do not ignore these signs — they indicate your air conditioning system is contributing to poor indoor air quality rather than improving it.

The Adelaide Advantage: Timing Maintenance for Our Climate

Adelaide’s Mediterranean climate means we experience hot, dry summers following wet winters. This seasonal transition creates specific challenges for allergy sufferers:

• Spring (September-November) brings high grass pollen counts
• Warm, windy days can dramatically increase airborne allergen levels
• The shift from heating to cooling mode can disturb dust and debris that has settled in systems over winter

This is why spring maintenance is particularly critical for Adelaide homes. A system that has been dormant or used for heating over winter may have accumulated dust, pollen and other debris that will be distributed throughout your home the first time you switch to cooling mode.

At Airevolution, we understand Adelaide’s unique climate and how it affects both air conditioning performance and indoor air quality. Our technicians are experienced in preparing systems for allergy season and can identify potential air quality issues before they impact your health and comfort.

When to Call a Professional

While there are several maintenance tasks you can perform yourself, professional expertise is essential for thorough allergy management. Contact an air conditioning professional if you:

• Notice mould growth or musty odours
• Experience worsening allergy symptoms when the system runs
• Have not had your ductwork cleaned in more than 5 years
• Want to upgrade your filtration system
• Notice reduced airflow or uneven cooling
• Have recently renovated, as construction dust can severely impact air quality

Professional technicians have the tools and expertise to thoroughly clean your system, identify hidden mould growth, seal duct leaks and recommend upgrades that can significantly improve your indoor air quality.