For those who suffer from asthma or allergies, it is particularly important to pay attention to the quality of air in your home and the type of air conditioning units you use.

The air we breathe often contains minute particles of different varieties. Some of the larger particles will often settle on the surfaces of your furniture and walls, and the smaller particles may be breathed into our lungs on a daily basis. For most people, these tiny particles are not noticeable and don't cause any real problems, however, for those with asthma or allergies the story is very different.

The best way to control the quality of the air in your home is through air conditioning.

Often, there are "triggers" that set off reactions in those with allergies or asthma. Triggers are different for everyone, but can sometimes include: tobacco smoke, strong fumes from paint or perfumes, dust mites, pollen and animal dander.

It's close to impossible to control the quality of the air and your various triggers outdoors, however, in your own home its easy to help regulate the air quality through the use of an air conditioner.

Air conditioning can help control your environment in several ways. It tends to lower indoor humidity, which lowers the production of mold and dust mites. Using an air conditioning unit also allows you to keep your windows and doors closed, which serves to further keep out all of the troublesome pollen and mold spores.

Electrostatic filters are a good option for those with allergies and asthma as they tend to be more efficient at trapping tiny particles than standard "throwaway" filters.

To further protect your home, make sure that all of your window air conditioning units have clean filters and are serviced often. Make sure your home is vacuumed often and consider using an air filtration system (such as HEPA) in addition to your air conditioner.

Thoroughly research an air conditioner before purchasing to make sure that it will suit your needs. As technology has improved, so too have our options. There are several air conditioning units available that are better at filtering the air quality than others, and in the case of severe allergies or asthma, it might be worth making the extra investment.