Fact or Myth: Can You Get a Sore Throat From an Air Conditioner?

Many homeowners blame their seasonal scratchy and sore throats on allergies. But did you know air conditioners and heating systems can also cause a sore throat? If there’s a myth about air conditioners causing sore throats, it’s that your home’s HVAC system is making you sick. Several air quality issues can occur if your equipment isn’t properly installed or maintained.

National Heating & Air Conditioning offers maintenance packages to keep your home’s HVAC system operating as it should. We want you to enjoy the benefits of your air conditioner and heater all year long without the annoyance of a dry or sore throat!

Fact: Air Conditioners Can Cause a Sore Throat

Whether it’s for one room or the entire house, when you turn on your home’s air conditioner, it “conditions” the air that’s enclosed in a specific space by:

Removing humidity from the air.
Expelling hot air outside the house.
Recycling cool air.
Providing consistent airflow.

As the air conditioner cools your home, it removes moisture from the air. Sometimes the process dries out air to the point where it causes throat and mouth dryness, eye and skin itching, and even muscle soreness.

People with allergies are generally more susceptible to dry air. If you don’t have allergies but experience a sore throat when your air conditioner or heater is running, it might be time for some preventative measures to protect your health.

Here’s What You Can Do

HVAC-induced sore throats tend to happen for one or more of these reasons:

Incorrect installation. Your HVAC equipment needs to breathe to function correctly. If installed in an area without proper airflow, dirt, dust, and other debris can affect the treated air. Equipment installed in a too-moist environment can foster mold growth.
Damaged ductwork. Over time, air ducts can develop small cracks and holes that let in air contaminants.
Infrequent maintenance. Central air and heating systems circulate air through your home in a constant loop. If your system’s air filter is clogged with dust, allergens, or pet dander, it can’t properly treat the indoor air.

The good news is there are several steps you can take to counter a sore throat caused by your air conditioner or heater.

Schedule regular tune-ups: At National, we recommend two HVAC system tune-ups per year, in the spring and fall.
Routinely check your air filter: Our technicians inspect the air filter during scheduled maintenance, but you should monitor it between visits. Dust from construction sites or wayward smoke from summer fires can make an air filter incredibly dirty.
Keep yourself hydrated: Because air conditioners are designed to remove high levels of moisture from the air, a drier house can leave your throat feeling parched. To avoid getting a sore throat, make sure to stay properly hydrated.
Frequently dust and vacuum: To combat a dusty indoor environment, thoroughly dust and vacuum your home at least once a week.

While it’s true opening the windows while running your air conditioner or heater isn’t recommended, it’s essential to get some fresh air into the house. Too much stale air can lead to a sore throat, headaches, and fatigue. Open each room’s windows from time to time to improve your home’s indoor air quality.

The easiest way to identify whether the air conditioner or heater is causing your sore throat is to track when the symptom occurs. If it’s only when you spend time inside, your HVAC system may be the culprit.

You can get you and your home back on track by contacting the professionals at National to inspect, repair, and service your system!